Drought conditions down under continue to hit Australia, with lamb prices reaching record levels on a regular basis due to reduced supplies.
At the Forbes Central West Livestock Exchange in New South Wales, the previous record of AUS$454, set only three weeks ago was beaten when 33 heavy lambs sold to AUS$460, or £224. The lambs were consigned by Eugowra producer, Matt Parker.
A delighted Mr Parker said after the sale: “I thought we were in with a chance of a good price when I weighed the lambs out, but we weren’t really aiming for a record. They had a nice skin on them, and were well finished. They’ve been in the feed lot for 90 days.”
The Forbes saleyard also set a record for the number of lambs sold on one day, selling 59,000 sheep – up 4000 on the previous high.
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Lamb buyer Tom Archer has reported sourcing around 10,000 lambs a week from the Apple Isle, with the bulk destined for export markets. “We’re particularly keen on the heavier types, and the quality this season has been excellent,” he said, expressed concern over current flock numbers, when the difficult spring could prove problematic for the sector.
“Sheep numbers are at an all-time low, and if the weather doesn’t play its part, we could be in a tight spot. It’s a real worry,” he said.
He added that robust demand from overseas markets was contributing to the record prices currently being seen for lamb.
A third record in three weeks was set at the Forbes market, when on July 29, a new Merino prime lamb record was achieved by Glen and Sharon Woods of Cooks Myalls, who sold 33 Merinos for AUS$420, or £203.95.
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