National Livestock Reporting Service

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An important service offered by MLA Market Information is the National Livestock Reporting Service (NLRS). Through its network of livestock market officers across Australia, the NLRS independently collects market data from the key auction and direct markets, in addition to slaughter statistics, wholesale, skin and hide prices.

Data collection

Each week, 22 livestock market officers (LMOs) attend 74 physical markets across Australia. Accuracy assurance is achieved in a number of ways:

Accreditation of LMOs
All LMOs are regularly assessed to ensure they maintain their national accreditation as livestock assessors. LMOs are required to meet a consistent standard of accuracy in the assessment of liveweight, carcase weight, dressing percentage, fat scoring and muscle scoring.
Market coverage
To ensure that a valid data sample is collected at each sale, LMOs must record at least 70% of the total stock offered for sale.
Automation of data collection
Automated data capture devices and a sophisticated database are used to improve the efficiency and optimise the accuracy of the data collected.
Auditing of all data and reports
All data and reports are stringently cross-checked in the field and by head office prior to publication.

Guaranteeing the service's accuracy is not only restricted to the preparation of physical market reports – NLRS's highly qualified market analysts personally collect the data used to compile reports on direct sales, slaughter statistics, wholesale, skin and hide prices from reliable industry sources. The only way this can be accurately achieved is by constant contact with industry.

How to access NLRS data

MLA members are entitled to download free detailed reports and can receive NLRS saleyard and/or over-the-hooks reports by email free of charge. Non-members are able to download reports at a cost.

Find NLRS market reports online