Sheep and Lamb
Lamb and mutton markets have been highly volatile since our last update. Heavy and well-presented lambs continue to attract a premium however mutton and any slightly secondary stock have declined heavily in recent weeks. Producers may have to bear down to these conditions for a while as Victorian selling centres have started to yard numbers. This week: Ballarat 48,000, Naracoorte 28,000 and Hamilton starting twice weekly sales with 41,000 total.
Store lambs are starting to look better value with well-bred lambs at 35-40kg live returning $110 – $140, this is down by up to $45 on this time last year.
Cattle
This market rallied well since our last update however has lost significant ground for the last 2 consecutive weeks. Some processors in this sector have already secured a large part of their supply for the remainder of the year and may regroup in January.
The other factor influencing this is the return of supply to some selling centres. The world beef market looks favourable for exports in the medium term with US supply forecast to decrease by around 3% next year following extended drought.
RUNVS Angus Bull Sale
In early November, we were fortunate to be engaged by the Greenwood family to conduct the inaugural RUNVS Angus bull sale. The results were a testament to the genetics and presentation of the bulls and the AuctionPlus platform introduced an expanded field of buyers who we are sure will return to future sales.
Animal Health
In sheep, flies will continue to require vigilant management, and we could also assume the same for mosquito borne conditions. Internal parasites including Barber’s Pole have also been active.
In cattle with conditions drying we are seeing a few cases of pink eye return. The curing pastures have seen an easing of many of the conditions challenging producers through the wet winter and spring.
Pasture quality for both sheep and cattle will require monitoring over the next few months, there is a good body of feed ahead of producers at present but if we are to receive heavy rainfall this can diminish quickly.
