WA weekly sheep summary
28 February 2013
Lower physical numbers.
There has been little or no change in weather patterns in the southern Agricultural districts of WA with temperatures remaining hot and predominately dry throughout. The dry and hot conditions seen in WA since the New Year have impacted water storage levels in many areas with some producers now forced to cart water for their stock. Paddock and stubble feed levels also continue to fall with supplementary feeding now consistently on the increase. There was a small fall in total physical sheep and lamb numbers due to a smaller volume at Muchea and despite and increase in the Great Southern’s supply levels.
Quality mixed
Quality remained mixed with ewe mutton once again the largest class to be sold, while crossbred lamb volumes were equal. Merin0o store lambs numbers were again reasonable, as were ewe hogget supplies, while wether numbers remained tight. Despite the fall in physical market numbers, processors continue report solid booking levels for OTH sales with producers and agents still preferring this mode of marketing their stock. There continued to be very limited supplies of prime trade and heavy weight crossbred lambs available in physical markets. Once again competition was recorded from both the trade and feeder sectors with little change recorded in values. This was also the case throughout store crossbred lambs classes. Heavy weight ewe mutton numbers remained tight with a slight increase recorded in processor and subsequent values. Medium and lightweight ewe mutton sales remained similar to both the trade and restockers. There continued to be a lack of live export demand in suitable wether classes with export feeders and restockers purchasing these at equal values. A lack of live export demand continued to see young rams purchased by export feeders and low but similar price levels, while older slaughter grades remained difficult to sell to the processing sector.