Lamb yardings higher in 2017

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