Bringing out the sheep

Livestock | 18th May 2022 | By Matt Dalgleish

The Snapshot

  • The week ending 13th May saw Victorian sheep throughout lift by 45% on the previous week.
  • NSW sale yards saw an 18% lift in sheep numbers for the week ending 13th May.
  • Current weekly throughput of east coast mutton are about 28% above the five-year average trend for this week in the season and to see saleyard mutton pricing rise in the face of such strong throughput is a sign that demand for sheep remains robust.

The Detail

Victorian producers should be rejoicing bringing out their sheep as saleyard sheep numbers lift while mutton pricing remains firm. The week ending 13th May saw Victorian sheep throughout lift by 45% on the previous week, to see 33,160 head yarded. Normally, at this time in the season sale yard volumes are circa 16,000 head so volumes are currently double the usual levels.

Given the swelling of sheep numbers Victorian mutton pricing has reacted remarkably firmly, lifting 6 cents over the week from the 9th May to 13th May to close at 617c/kg cwt. Early this week Victorian mutton prices continued to steam ahead, closing at 651c/kg yesterday.

NSW sale yards saw an 18% lift in sheep numbers for the week ending 13th May, but the increased volumes here was just enough to get them back on track to the average seasonal trend of around 39,000 head for this time in the year. Mutton pricing managed to hold up well too in NSW, despite the higher throughput levels. NSW Mutton gained 13 cents for the week ending 13th May and closed at 585c/kg cwt last week. Since the start this week NSW Mutton has lifted to 607 cents, as of yesterdays close.

East coast sheep yarding levels have been well supported by the strong Victorian volumes. Current weekly throughput of nearly 75,000 head places the east coast mutton supply at the saleyard at level that are at the upper end of the normal seasonal range, and about 28% above the five-year average trend for this week in the season. To see saleyard mutton pricing rise in the face of such strong throughput is a sign that demand for sheep remains robust.

Tags

  • Sheep
  • Throughput
  • Saleyard