Average weekly eastern states lamb supply so far this year has averaged 178,206 head, around 14% higher year-on-year.
February alone saw eastern states lamb yardings average 204,812 head per week, 22% higher year-on-year, while the average weekly supply in March so far has surpassed year-ago levels, at 170,171 head.
Furthermore, national lamb slaughter has had a higher year-on-year start to 2017, which you can read more about here.
While the strong wool and lamb prices nationally are enticing producers to retain ewes, higher returns both direct-to-works and at the saleyard level are providing strong incentive for producers to sell lambs as well.
At the conclusion of Monday’s markets:
- The eastern states restocker lamb indicator gained 51¢ week-on-week, to average 679¢ – up 164¢/kg cwt year-on-year
- Merino lambs eased 6¢ week-on-week, to 559¢, while light lambs lifted 26¢ to average 627¢/kg cwt
- The Eastern States Trade Lamb Indicator (ESTLI) increased 14¢ from last week, to 626¢ – 120¢/kg cwt higher year-on-year
- The heavy lamb indicator was 3¢ higher week-on-week, to settle on 616¢/kg cwt
https://www.mla.com.au/prices-markets/market-news/lamb-yardings-higher-in-2017/