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Lamb slaughter lifts but remains below year-ago levels
Eastern states indicative lamb slaughter increased in most states last week but was lower than the same time last year.
The rise was attributed to the return of a full processing week in most states, although lamb slaughter usually peaks in October as new season spring lambs continue to enter the market, as illustrated in the figure below.
- Eastern states lamb slaughter was 402,756 head, down 2% year-on-year
- Victoria at 193,983 head, down 4%
- NSW at 100,965 head, steady
- SA at 84,311 head, down 1%
Saleyard throughput, at MLA reported saleyards, last week (Monday-Thursday) also recorded a strong increase in most states and yardings were above year-ago levels at most centres.
- NSW lamb throughput last week was 104,401 head, up 19% year-on-year
- Victoria yarded 57,313 lambs, up 8%
- SA recorded 30,267 lambs, back 11%
Sheep slaughter continued the same trend seen all year, with weekly eastern states slaughter lower (20%) year-on-year, at 128,040 head.
