Beyond the Saleyards — WA lamb prices continue to soar

WA lamb prices moved higher again last week with V&V Walsh increasing its new-season bid by 20¢ to 800¢.

Mutton remains unchanged, with multiple buyers bidding 640¢ OTH.

On the east coast, lamb prices remain around 800¢, with buyers bidding anywhere from 770¢ and higher.

In SA, Thomas Foods is bidding 770¢ for XB and Dorper lambs and 750¢ for Merinos. Mutton is bid strongly at 700¢ levels across the east coast.

Also on the east coast, standard grid prices are relatively stable with 740-760¢ being the public bid on XB lambs.

Gundagai Lambs Lean Meat Yield and Intramuscular Fat has also seen strong interest, with producers showing keen interest to book in stock on this grid.

The average price on the LMY/IMF grid is about 750¢/kg.

The wool market also had a strong week, with the EMI closing 23¢ higher at 1343¢, a drop in passed-in rates. The support was spread across micron types.

Goat markets also had a strong week. VIC and NSW hook prices are approaching 1000¢ levels again with Thomas Foods bidding 960¢ in NSW and SA. Cattle processor grids were stable last week. Importantly, JBS is back operating normally after being impacted by the cyber-attack two weekends ago.

Processor and feedlot market bids at the start of the week (¢/kg or $/head):

East coast processor prices: 100-day grain fed (HGP free): steers 710¢, heifers 705¢. Grass fed: steers 695¢, heifers 690¢. Cows 600¢. Bulls 530¢.

Queensland feedlots: Black Angus: 515¢, Black Angus British X: 505¢, Wagyu X Angus: POA.

Queensland export orders: Feeder steers 360¢, slaughter steers 360¢. Feeder bulls 360¢, heifers 340¢, cows 290¢.

NSW feedlots (steers): Black Angus: 425¢. British, Euro X, Flat Back: 465¢, XB 445¢.

China export orders: Heifers (unjoined): Friesians $2100 Holstein (200+ kg, no blood tests) $1000 -$1200. Red Angus $1300. Jersey unjoined heifers (200kg) $1300.

Full price grids and details for all these orders are available in the LIVEstock Pricing app and online.

Rob Kelly is the Founder and Managing Director of LIVEstock Pricing, a free service with the latest sheep, cattle and goat price grids in one easy-to-use app.