Lamb shortage see prices hold

SPRING  is in the air and for much of the state it looks like a very good early season at least.

Unfortunately, the southern part of the state is still in need of some good rain and here is hoping that arrives soon.

In normal years by now we are seeing big numbers of new seasons lambs (known by many as suckers) in interstate saleyards and by now many big supermarkets have started to swap over to the young lambs as opposed to the old season lambs. 

This year is different with much fewer numbers particularly in those early markets like Bendigo, Dubbo, Corowa, Forbes and Wagga. To put this in perspective the new lamb count for August 2026 was just over 40,000 head which is the lowest since 2011. 

Interesting statistics, but it has become a trend over the last few years as producers opt to lamb later and at least resort to a split lambing to spread the load. 

This trend has some obvious effects meaning more lambs later in the spring but in the meantime there is a shortage of lambs all up and as a result prices are still sailing along with many averages sitting over 1100c and some into the 1200c range. 

The other side is that by now restockers/finishers/feeders are keen to buy lambs and in recent weeks there haven’t been enough to go around. 

Another side of this story is that because of later lambing means later weaning and it will be later till we see the spring flush of cast for age ewes coming to the market which is the reason for small numbers of mutton in all saleyards and hence the record levels seen in recent months.

On Monday evening, the Eastern States mutton indicators sat at high levels with extra heavy sheep (over 30 kg) at 857c/kg, heavy (24-30 kg) 890c, medium (18-24 kg) 864c and light 914c/kg carcass weight.

Interesting to note that at Bendigo on Monday the overall average for the yard was $265/head. 

Locally, at Powranna we are seeing very few mutton in the yards as we are still a fair way away from weaning with most of the start of our new lambs not until November/December.

I reckon this year we may see some producers opt to sell light lambs at good prices rather than keep them on. It will be interesting to see what happens.

Prices dip as numbers rise

THERE was a bigger number of 124 trade and export cattle at Powranna on Tuesday with about half being cows. 

There were more trade cattle and as a result the market was cheaper but still good competition from local butchers and restockers. 

Most yearling steers made 458c to 496c and heifers 432c to 488c/kg. The few grown steers and bullocks made 424c to 460c. 

There were 60 cows penned and heavy cows were cheaper but leaner cows held recent quotes with strong restocker competition. 

Heavy beef cows made 350c to 386c and leaner 320c to 396c. Most heavy bulls made 330c to 354c/kg liveweight.

 There were only 282 lambs penned with very few good quality lambs available. 

As a result, trade and heavy trade lambs were $20 to $30 dearer with most making $252 to $298 while processors paid $175 to $180 for light trade lambs. Restockers paid between $100 to $172 for a wide variety of light lambs.

There was a very small yarding of 166 mutton and the best topped at $230 while medium weights made $200 to $214 and very light $100 to $110/head.