The final selling week of winter was largely flat, with some small gains in value. Supply from the paddock to the saleyard was down slightly for lambs and steady for sheep with a total yarding of just over 251k head. The new season lambs continue to drag up price averages, with buyers chasing weight and quality creating strong competition at the rail.
The
Eastern States Trade Lamb Indicator rose by 1% (6 c/kg) to 818 c/kg, with yardings
for the indicator also 2% higher week-on-week. Wagga’s contribution to the
indicator was significant, it contributed 24% of the volume for the selling
week and had the highest selling average of 858 c/kg. Its saleyard report mentions
a big field of buyers and solid competition.
Mutton
prices slipped slightly, down 1% to 362 c/kg, with a 2% increase in yardings
for the week. The National Mutton Indicator is now back to where it was at the
start of July before its rally and subsequent fall in August. Compared to a
year ago, it’s almost double, with the value currently a 92% increase year on
year. Wagga again topped the charts for both volume and value for the mutton offering.
Heavy
Lambs rose 3% in value for the week up 21 c/kg to 841 c/kg. The rise in value was
helped by a tightening in supply, with 26% less on offer compared to last week.
At the other end of the scale, light lambs also had a 3% rise in value, its
yardings only down 2%.
Prices
for the new lambs, where reported in the NRLS saleyard reports seem to be
relatively flat, averaging between 800-900c/kg. Numbers are growing steadily as
more and more hit producers’ target weights. Buyers
are having to compete for the heavier grain-assisted fresh lamb, which are still
a little bit short on the supply side, as the season continues to gain momentum.
Total lamb and sheep slaughter for the week prior was down 6%
compared to the week before. SA lamb slaughter was down 97% indicating some
shutdowns at processing plants in the festive state.
Initial yardings data from the NRLS show that total
throughput of lambs and sheep decreased 4% week on week. This was driven by
lambs which fell by 5% (9.1k head) to a total of 170k head. Sheep were flat
week on week (down 101 head) to a total of 82.2k head.
Next week
The BOM has some rain forecasted for Western Victoria and Tasmania which is much needed. Unfortunately, South Australia is not predicted to get significant widespread rain, but a few areas are in with a chance of falls. Without a good spring, putting weight on lambs will be a challenge in these areas. This will mean they will be offloaded at lighter levels. With a good outlook for finished lamb values, this presents an opportunity for restockers.
The latest release of Meat and Livestock Australia’s Industry Projections has a pertinent section on the structural shift in the national flock. Survey results continue
After a relatively stable few weeks, an increase in yardings and a softening of competition in the buying field applied downward pressure on prices this
All figures are looking up in the latest Meat and Livestock Australia sheep industry projections, released last week – except for prices that is. However,
Independent analysis and outlook for wool, livestock and grain markets delivered to you as it’s published
Listen to the podcast
Join the Mecardo team for the Commodity Conversations podcast, where we provide short weekly market recaps and longer conversations with guests to discuss the drivers and trends in livestock, grain and fibre markets.
In this report for LiveCorp and MLA, we analysed the historical trends in the demographics of the Australian sheep flock, examining domestic factors that influence farm-level enterprise decision making.
We don’t just bring you the most up to date market insights. Find out more about Mecardo’s services including risk management advisory, modelling, benchmarking, research & consultancy.
Wagga walks ahead of the pack
The Eastern States Trade Lamb Indicator rose by 1% (6 c/kg) to 818 c/kg, with yardings for the indicator also 2% higher week-on-week. Wagga’s contribution to the indicator was significant, it contributed 24% of the volume for the selling week and had the highest selling average of 858 c/kg. Its saleyard report mentions a big field of buyers and solid competition.
Mutton prices slipped slightly, down 1% to 362 c/kg, with a 2% increase in yardings for the week. The National Mutton Indicator is now back to where it was at the start of July before its rally and subsequent fall in August. Compared to a year ago, it’s almost double, with the value currently a 92% increase year on year. Wagga again topped the charts for both volume and value for the mutton offering.
Heavy Lambs rose 3% in value for the week up 21 c/kg to 841 c/kg. The rise in value was helped by a tightening in supply, with 26% less on offer compared to last week. At the other end of the scale, light lambs also had a 3% rise in value, its yardings only down 2%.
Prices for the new lambs, where reported in the NRLS saleyard reports seem to be relatively flat, averaging between 800-900c/kg. Numbers are growing steadily as more and more hit producers’ target weights. Buyers are having to compete for the heavier grain-assisted fresh lamb, which are still a little bit short on the supply side, as the season continues to gain momentum.
Total lamb and sheep slaughter for the week prior was down 6% compared to the week before. SA lamb slaughter was down 97% indicating some shutdowns at processing plants in the festive state.
Initial yardings data from the NRLS show that total throughput of lambs and sheep decreased 4% week on week. This was driven by lambs which fell by 5% (9.1k head) to a total of 170k head. Sheep were flat week on week (down 101 head) to a total of 82.2k head.
Next week
The BOM has some rain forecasted for Western Victoria and Tasmania which is much needed. Unfortunately, South Australia is not predicted to get significant widespread rain, but a few areas are in with a chance of falls. Without a good spring, putting weight on lambs will be a challenge in these areas. This will mean they will be offloaded at lighter levels. With a good outlook for finished lamb values, this presents an opportunity for restockers.
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Click on graph to expand
Click on graph to expand
Data sources: MLA, BOM, Mecardo
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Merino component of flock under pressure
The latest release of Meat and Livestock Australia’s Industry Projections has a pertinent section on the structural shift in the national flock. Survey results continue
Spring supply mounting in NSW
After a relatively stable few weeks, an increase in yardings and a softening of competition in the buying field applied downward pressure on prices this
Sheep and slaughter are still on the rise
All figures are looking up in the latest Meat and Livestock Australia sheep industry projections, released last week – except for prices that is. However,
Lamb market standing on solid ground
Saleyard lamb and sheep throughput continue to track down slightly, with wild weather no doubt stalling some numbers in the south this week. As a
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Independent analysis and outlook for wool, livestock and grain markets delivered to you as it’s published
Listen to the podcast
Join the Mecardo team for the Commodity Conversations podcast, where we provide short weekly market recaps and longer conversations with guests to discuss the drivers and trends in livestock, grain and fibre markets.
Research: Analysis of the Australian sheep flock
In this report for LiveCorp and MLA, we analysed the historical trends in the demographics of the Australian sheep flock, examining domestic factors that influence farm-level enterprise decision making.
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We don’t just bring you the most up to date market insights. Find out more about Mecardo’s services including risk management advisory, modelling, benchmarking, research & consultancy.