Beyond the Saleyards: The WA sheep market facing quiet times with processing plants closing for maintenance

The WA sheep market will be facing another quiet few weeks, with multiple plants closing for maintenance. Mutton remains bid and very well supplied at $3.20. Lambs are a struggle to move, the spot market is well below $5.50. For those with existing bookings, its still hovering around $6.00. The premium in Eastern States markets continues to grind lower with saleyard numbers and direct numbers in the $5.80 - $6.00 range. Direct consignment sheep and lamb prices (HSCW) (from the Agora Livestock Markets app) ● XB trade lambs: WA direct: no quote, saleyards: $4.90/kg (up $0.10), east coast $5.80 (unchanged) ● Merino trade lambs: WA direct: no quote, saleyards: $4.50/kg, east coast $5.50 ● Mutton: WA $3.20 (up $0.10), east coast $3.40/kg (unchanged) Goat markets have remained are unchanged again. Direct consignment goat prices (from the Agora Livestock Markets app) ● Liveweight: east coast $1.20/kg (unchanged) ● HSCW: WA $2.80 (unchanged), east coast $3.50 (unchanged) In cattle markets, there is a demand in the market at current levels. There is a widening spread between local and pastoral cattle prices. The increased numbers of local stock available, compared with the past 24 months, has seen buyers shift back to targeting this stock. With pastoral cattle not as “in demand” they are trending back towards a more historically normal discount. Direct consignment live export and feeder cattle bids (from the Agora Livestock Markets app) are currently around the following levels ● Live export steers $2.80 ● Live export heifers $2.40 ● Feedlot mixed breed steers $3.20 - $3.40 (unchanged) ● Feedlot mixed heifers steers $3.70 - $2.90 (unchanged) All prices quoted are available in the Agora Livestock Markets app – available free on the app stores. Rob Kelly is the founder and managing director of Agora Livestock, a free service with the latest sheep, cattle and goat price grids in one easy-to-use app.