VENDORS took a bit of an Easter holiday at Swan Hill’s most recent sheep sale – with 2653 head yarded (2354 lambs and 299 mutton) in a slightly subdued sale.
Elders Livestock specialist Matt Rowlands says the reduced numbers saw prices slightly off the boil but it still proved a steadier market.
Matt says the lamb job in the previous six to eight weeks had been softening but the past two sales had started to turn that around.
He says there was good support from the trade, with well finished, grain assisted lambs in demand throughout, with heavier lambs making between $205 and $235.
Those in the trade weight categories (24-27kg) saw demand around $160 to $185.
At the same time, the Easter break has seen producer focus turn to cropping preparations, with those who had already worked up paddocks and completed spraying programs looking to get seed in as soon as they could get machinery into action.
“The market held firm on previous sales here and at other yards even though numbers were down because of the long weekend,” Matt added.
“But I anticipate we will be seeing a lot more lambs in the next few weeks – the numbers should start going up from our next sheep sale here on April 27.
“That has been helped by the rain, for feed, and that should get us through a few more weeks, especially if we get some sunny days.
“For the astute buyers, scanned in-lamb and even empty adult ewes are offering a fair bit of value-add right now and would give producers the chance to do some quick turnarounds on the back of plenty of feed in paddock.”
However, Matt is also cautioning producers to be on guard against an expected surge in worm numbers in coming weeks.
He says after our wet spring and then a cooler summer, with plenty of green feed around, a large worm burden is likely.
And that includes major challenges with the likes of Barber’s Pole worm.
“We expect faecal egg counts to be high and I would strongly advise people to be egg counting and sending samples off for testing if necessary,” Matt says.
“It is just as important that people stay on top of their drenching and, if they need help, I understand we have plenty of product in store.
“It’s something that can get away unless we are all vigilant heading into the end of autumn and going into winter.”
The Swan Hill sale mirrored sales across the country according to MLA, which reports the sheep and lamb market found solid support across most categories.
MLA says despite higher yardings across most states, this has translated to a lift in prices.
The restocker lamb indicator performance reflected this with its price lifting 42c following strong demand from buyers, to finish the week at 622c/kg carcase weight.
Trade and heavy lambs also found support, while the mutton indicator continues to improve following its depressed start to 2023.
Matt also expects cattle numbers coming in for sales to start rising as well.
While he concedes the level of overall cattle in the region may not have risen too much, enquiry suggests there will be better numbers in the next few sales.
