Supply slips
National lamb supply at markets reported by MLA’s NLRS decreased 16% week-on-week with the long weekend across most states contributing to the decline.
Even with the inclusion of Inverell’s fortnightly sale NSW lamb throughput fell 48%. SA though increased 6%, while in WA, Muchea’s yarding decreased 8%.
With Victoria not having the public holiday both Ballarat and Bendigo lifted around 34%.
National sheep supply decreased 42%, with SA the only state to record a lift to their supply.
Quality mixed
Quality was mixed across the majority of markets and trade weights were supplied in the largest numbers. Restockers were active at Ballarat and Bendigo where they purchased new season Merino lambs from the north.
The light weights were in reduced supply at Forbes, as limited heavy old lambs realised a dearer trend. There was erratic demand at Naracoorte on pens of light and poor condition lambs, while feeder buyers at the SA LE were more aggressive on light weight lambs.
Mutton quality was generally mixed, with demand continuing to waver. Intermittent restocker activity at the SA LE assisted an increase in prices, while at Muchea store grades also recorded greater restocker interest.
Merino lambs fare best
At the conclusion of Tuesday’s markets the eastern states restocker lamb indicator was 3¢ higher on 403¢/kg cwt. Merino lambs lifted 19¢ to 326¢, while light lambs gained 5¢ to 367¢/kg cwt. Trade lambs decreased 11¢ to 381¢, while heavy lambs lost 9¢ to 380¢/kg cwt.
The mutton indicator strengthened 9¢ to finish on 180¢/kg cwt.
Source: Argentine Beef Packers S.A.
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