Australia-Lamb markets.

AUSTRALIA-Sheep and lamb markets

15/04/2009

Lamb supply lifts slightly

Due to the Easter long weekend, no markets were held Thursday, Friday or Monday of last week. As trading returns to normal, lamb supply at MLA’s NLRS reported saleyards lifted 2% and sheep supply declined 13% when compared to last Tuesday.

Quality has generally been good, with the majority continuing to be heavy trade lambs. At most markets all buyers have been operating creating solid competition on the better drafts and creating a dearer trend. There have also been occurrences of live exporters at physical markets in NSW, searching for suitable drafts.

Despite the holiday, Forbes yarded 30% more lambs and 46% more sheep than last week, even though the supply area experienced rain over the weekend. Ballarat throughput increased 3% for lambs, while sheep numbers fell.

Lamb supply fell in SA with smaller yardings at SA LE and Naracoorte. Not all buyers attended at SA LE and prices fluctuated particularly for the lightweight cross bred lambs.

At Midland in WA overall supply fell and sold to varying demand. Ewe mutton supplies are constricted however there were reasonable numbers of wethers.

Indicators lift

At the conclusion of Tuesday’s markets, the eastern states sheep and lamb indicators gained ground on last week. Solid competition and the shorter week are encouraging the dearer trend.

Restocking lamb was 6¢ higher at 421¢, while Merino lamb gained 4¢ to end at 372¢/kg cwt. Light lamb lifted 21¢, settling at 408¢/kg cwt. Trade and heavy lamb lifted 19¢ and 35¢ respectively to both be 468¢/kg cwt. Mutton was slightly higher at 222¢/kg cwt.