Australia-Re-Stockers have plenty of lambs.

AUSTRALIA-RE-STOCKER HAVE PLENT OF LAMBS.

Restockers have purchased 15pc of lambs offered at saleyards since the beginning of the year, a two percentage point increase, according to Meat and Livestock Australia’s National Livestock Reporting Service.

MLA says lotfeeders have also been more active at physical markets, purchasing 4pc of the national lamb offering, one percentage point higher year-on-year, as lower grain prices and higher lamb prices have enabled some recovery in the lamb finishing sector.

The anticipated shortfall in lamb supply in coming months is the main driver behind the increased feeder and restocker activity at saleyards.

In addition, many producers reportedly have left over feed grain from the harvest to finish lambs on.

MLA reports that since the beginning of the year, restocker lamb purchases in NSW have jumped five percentage points year-on-year.

The recent rain across NSW has also boosted producer confidence and encouraged more restockers onto the market.

Restocker purchases in Victoria increased four percentage points year-on-year, as many producers purchased lambs to manage stubble from the harvest.

The persistent dry conditions across the state have led to many producers purchasing lambs to spread risk against cropping operations and also to utilise spoiled grain from the harvest.

Restocker purchases at SA saleyards declined three percentage points year-on-year, and 25 percentage points in WA as enterprise shifts to cropping and forestry reduced restocker demand.