IN THE final months of 2011 national lamb yardings jumped by 7 per cent, according to 
Meat and Livestock Australia’s (MLA) National Livestock Reporting Service (NLRS) yearly summary of the sheep and lamb market.
Strong physical market prices contributed to a surge in lamb numbers during the spring months, the report found.
The quality of young lambs was consistently good throughout spring, although later in the season some lambs showed signs of dryness in the skin.
Most of the old lambs offered were heavyweights, as producers offloaded lambs prior to cutting teeth.
Strong seasonal conditions, coupled with solid demand, resulted in the national trade lamb indicator remaining above 500 cents a kilogram (cwt) for most of spring.
This compares favourably to 2010 with the national trade lamb indicator 3pc higher.
Increased availability of pasture due to timely winter and spring rain across much of the eastern States intensified restocker demand.
New season lambs suitable for restockers and lotfeeders were also highly sought after placing upward pressure on prices particularly in NSW and Victoria.
There was, however, a mixed trend to the national over the hooks rates.
As the supply of trade and heavy lambs fell rates were increased.
Light lambs, though, were unchanged with ample supplies available throughout the physical market.
Source: MLA.com
Back to News Headlines