Australia-Sheep and lamb market.

Sheep and lamb market alert

6/05/2009

Throughput lifts

Supply at MLA’s NLRS reported saleyards lifted 12% for lambs and 3% for sheep nationally when compared to last weeks rain affected markets. High prices at physical markets encouraged greater sheep and lambs onto the market. This however, is uncharacteristic for this time of year, as supply traditionally starts to dwindle. The anticipated shortfall of lambs and sheep in the coming months is aiding to the dearer trend.

Good quality harder to source

Quality has generally been mixed, with the supply of good quality lambs tapering off. Lightweight lambs suitable for restocking and lot feeding have been subject to spirited bidding.

Sheep quality has been rather varied with the better quality heavyweights scarce. Strong competition has increased rates as demand from live exporters in WA lifted rates $10 to $15/head for wethers.

Indicators mixed

All the regular buyers have been in attendance as some processors have reduced slaughter days to soften the dearer trend and also the plan around the current supply situation.

At the close of Tuesday markets, the eastern states sheep and lamb indicators experienced a mixed trend on last week. A lift in supply combined with strong competition on better quality drafts has pushed some rates high.

Restocking lamb eased 6¢ from last week, ending at 414¢, while Merino lamb were 3¢ cheaper at 378¢/kg cwt. Light lamb lost 5¢ to 386¢, while trade lamb gained 5¢ at 460¢/kg cwt. Heavy lamb lifted 9¢ to 462¢/kg cwt. Mutton declined 3¢ to 254¢/kg cwt.