The ovine way is up
The Snapshot
- Total east coast sheep yarding levels lifted 52% from the shortened Easter week to see 43,706 head presented at the saleyard.
- Victorian sheep yardings lifted 49% to record 18,802 head of sheep presented. Meanwhile, NSW sheep yarding levels gained 54% to see 19,412 head offered.
- Total east coast lamb yarding volumes managed a 17% lift from the Easter dip to see 142,007 head of lamb offered.
- Weekly Victorian lamb numbers have jumped 24% and New South Wales lamb yarding levels recovered 20% on the previous week.
The Detail
After the easter shortened week the sale yard throughout levels have begun to increase for east coast lamb and sheep. Total east coast sheep yarding levels lifted 52% on the previous week to register 43,706 sheep presented for the week ending the 9th April.
In 2020 the Easter lull came later than in 2021 and saw two weeks with sheep volumes sub 30,000 head before staging a rebound to over 50,000 head. This year the post Easter recovery in throughput for east coast sheep appears to be happening faster.
Both New South Wales and Victorian sale yards shared in the increased sheep throughput. Victorian sheep yardings lifted 49% from the week prior to record 18,802 head of sheep presented. This represents sheep volumes that are 13% below the average seasonal trend for this week in the year.
Meanwhile, NSW sheep yarding levels have gained 54% from the previous week to see 19,412 head offered. Despite the stronger week on week increase NSW sheep yarding levels are sitting 51% under the five-year average seasonal pattern. NSW sheep yardings have been trending well below the average pattern all season, and outside the lower end of the 70% range, reflective of the keen intention to rebuild the flock in NSW this year.
Total east coast lamb yarding volumes managed a 17% lift from the Easter dip to see 142,007 head of lamb offered for sale for the week ending 9th April. East coast lamb throughput volumes remained inside the 70% range this season even through the Easter lull, managing to avoid the dearth of lamb seen during Easter 2020 when weekly yarding volumes dropped to nearly 60,000 head. East coast lamb throughput is currently sitting 13% below the five-year average trend for this week in the season.
Victorian lamb yarding levels have managed to creep back above the average seasonal pattern since the Easter dip to see 57,583 head of lamb reported at the saleyard for the week ending 9th April. Victorian lamb numbers have jumped 24% from the week prior to sit at levels that are 10% above the five-year average seasonal trend for this time in the year.
New South Wales lamb yarding levels also managed a firm recovery, up 20% on the previous week, to record 75,681 head of lamb offered for sale. However, as was the case with NSW sheep yardings, lamb throughput levels also remain below the seasonal average trend despite the increased saleyard volumes. NSW lamb yardings are sitting 21% below the average seasonal pattern for this week in the year.
