Beyond the Saleyards - Sheep & lamb prices holding

WA sheep and lamb markets were stable last week with most processors holding their prices unchanged.

Lambs remain at 700¢ OTH and 320¢ liveweight on-farm. Mutton is currently bid at 580¢ after several strong weeks.

On the east coast, JBS is bidding 760¢ for lambs in February and 740¢ in March. Spot bids from other processors were similar to February forward rates. Mutton is hard to get a bid on over the hooks, but hoggets are bid 620¢c.

Wool finished the second week of the year even stronger than the first week. Chinese interest was the main driver for the EMI finishing the week +30 at 1202¢/kg.

Goat markets have been under pressure on the east coast. Depot bids dropped by around 20¢, quoting a higher AUD as a significant factor.

In general, it’s 400¢ for on-farm goats on the east coast. In WA, BRM remained at 720¢ for a 10-24kg frame and 785¢ for those over 24kg.

Cattle markets continued their push higher for both feedlots and processors. Feedlot prices increased by another 15¢ and processors by 10-20¢, depending on the specifications.

We have also seen the 100-day grain-fed premium (vs 70-day grain-fed market) almost completely gone as processors do whatever they can to keep their chains full.

Export prices have remained relatively stable, with northern feeder and slaughter steers bid 380¢, but with the market paying slightly more if stock can be found.

We are also seeing some refreshed Wagyu markets, with Napparoy Ag bidding 950¢/kg liveweight for full-blood Wagyu in Queensland.

Processor and feedlot market bids at the start of the week (¢/kg or $/head):

WA feedlots: British feeder steers 420¢ (Feb delivery).

East coast processor prices: 100-day grain-fed (HGP free): steers 700¢, heifers 695¢. Grass-fed: steers 695¢, heifers 690¢. Cows 620¢. Bulls 530¢.

Queensland feedlots: Black Angus: 475¢, Black Angus British X: 460¢, Wagyu X Angus: 650¢.

Queensland export orders: Brahman steers and bulls 380¢, bulls 380¢, heifers 360¢.

NSW/QLD feedlots (steers): Black Angus: 425¢. British, Euro X, Flat Back: 465¢, XB 445¢.

Wagyu (QLD, liveweight): 950c full-blood, 900¢ purebred and F2-F3 800¢.

China export orders: Heifers (unjoined): Friesians $2100 Holstein (200+kgs, no blood tests) $1000-$1200. Red Angus $1300.

Jersey unjoined heifers (200kg) $1200.

Full price grids and details for all these orders are available in the LIVEstock Pricing app and online at livestockpricing.com.au.

Rob Kelly is the Founder and Managing Director of LIVEstock Pricing, a free service with the latest sheep, cattle and goat price grids in one easy-to-use app.