SHEEP producers have experienced a rollercoaster ride over the last 12 months with a flooded market and below average prices.
According to Meat and Livestock Australia, Victorian trade lamb prices softened by around seven per cent in February with the national trade lamb indicator still 12 per cent down from the same time last year.
Doug James, who is a sheep producer at Boweya, believes despite the frustrations of the sheep market prices over the last 12 months, the market has levelled out somewhat.
“A flooded market a few months back made the situation very difficult as prices were forced down putting financial pressure on the farm,” Mr James said.
“I was confident the market would eventually settle, however it all takes time for things to recover.
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“Prices have improved to date but they are still not as good as we would like.
“It will be tough right now to see anyone get more than $7/kg cwt.
“We currently have 2600 lambing with two thirds lambing for twins and one third lambing for singles with 700 ewe weaners which we will use later in the year.
“With the market settling and leading into winter, producers will be hanging onto their stock, which will have a potential to see prices spike over late autumn and into winter due to numbers tapering off."
Meat and Livestock Australia says average prices across Victoria have seen light and medium types lift by up to $3 making from $131 to $157 per head on average,
Heavy trade has averaged $192 (averaging 708c/kg cwt) with heavy lambs lifting by $3 a head and selling from $174 to $206 per head on average.
“Viewbank farm is currently feeding out grain and hay as our ewes have just starting lambing,” Mr James said.
“With the market under less pressure, we do not have to wait for as long for kill space at the abattoir compared to recent months.
“Market prices over the coming months will factor on how how the autumn/winter seasons pan out which includes rainfall and how competitive the market will become come spring.
“Right now our focus remains on preparation of our paddocks and monitoring our ewes and lambs.”
