WA lamb prices lift

This week, saleyard lamb supply in WA lifted around 1,000 head week-on-week, to 7,568 head – although this is close to 3,000 head lower than the same time last year (10,650 head).

Wet weather across the key producing regions of the state over the past couple of months has helped producers hold onto stock for finishing. Demand has strengthened during August, with lamb saleyard prices increasing throughout the month. The WA trade lamb indicator averaged 517¢ this week, 13¢/kg cwt higher week-on-week. The WA heavy lamb indicator increased 29¢ week-on-week, to 515¢/kg cwt. 

After a period of annual processing plant closures, WA weekly lamb slaughter lifted 6% week-on-week, to 56,552 head. 

Young lambs are starting to come to the fore, accounting for about 40% of the lambs yarded at Muchea this week and selling to a top of $135/head for 26kg cwt lambs.

WA mutton saleyard throughput increased 4,000 head week-on-week, to 9,511 head – 2,000 head higher than the same time last year (11,052 head). In line with the higher supplies, weekly WA mutton slaughter lifted 10%, to 26,162 head.

The lack of live export demand at Katanning this week saw the WA mutton indicator decline 6¢ week-on-week, to 320¢/kg cwt.