The extended run of above average seasonal conditions across most of the country, combined with the increased attention to meat production, has seen the consolidation of producers growing lambs out to heavier weights. Subsequently, this has resulted in both average carcase weights at slaughter, and lamb liveweights listed on AuctionsPlus, increasing significantly.
Analyzing average AuctionsPlus assessed lamb weights since the start of 2017, there has been a significant and consistent rise in overall lamb liveweights, across all lamb breeds and states through to 2022. The average liveweight of lambs offered on AuctionsPlus has increased by 14.4%, from a low of 33.3kg in 2018, to 38.1kg so far in 2022. This correlates strongly with the national lamb carcase weight, which has increased by 13% over the same period (Figure 1).
An analysis into the key lamb producing states and categories has been undertaken to highlight the impact seasonal conditions, along with breed demographics, have had on the average liveweight of lamb listed online. The ongoing theme across lamb markets of quality finish and weight as the major determining factors of price performance, are expected to remain a constant, as new season lambs continue to hit the market late into 2022.
NSW, which accounts for 54% of lamb listings, has been driving the increase in lamb liveweights - registering a 22% lift in average lamb liveweights offered on AuctionsPlus since 2018. The key “powerhouse” listing regions of the NSW Central West and Riverina, which have experienced above average seasonal conditions in recent years, are major players in the uptick in liveweight for the state. Crossbred lamb listings which account for 40% of the states’ throughput, have registered a 17% rise in liveweight since 2018, to average 36.1kg in 2022 (Table 1). Merino wether lambs, which make up 35% of the states online lamb throughput followed a similar path, with the category weighing 22% heavier in 2022, compared to 2018, at 36.5kg.
Queensland lamb listings also registered a significant lift in lamb liveweights, as improved seasonal conditions allowed restockers to grow lambs out to heavier weights. Aiding this growth has been the positive impact of exclusion fencing on increasing flock numbers in key sheep regions. The state recorded a 15% rise in liveweight across all lamb categories between 2018-2022, to average 36.5kg in 2022 (Table 1). Shedding breed lamb listings in Queensland account for 21% of the states lamb throughput, with the highest average liveweight across all states at 41.2kg - increasing by 31% since 2018. Accounting for half the states’ lamb throughput, Merino wether lamb liveweights have increased by 18% since 2018, weighing an average of 36.7kg so far in 2022.
Over the past five years Victorian lamb listings have accounted for 20% of the total lamb throughput on AuctionsPlus. Average liveweights across all lamb categories for the state have increased by 9% since 2018, to reach 36.4kg in 2022 (Table 1). Crossbred lambs, which make up 45% of Victorian lamb throughput, registered an 11% rise in liveweight from 2018-2022, to average 36.8kg in 2022 - the heaviest average across all states.
South Australian lamb listings account for 16% of lamb volume on AuctionsPlus, with average liveweights across all categories for the state rising by 6% between 2018 and late 2022. Although lamb weights across the state have risen steadily, they are below the national average which rose 15% over the same period. This is likely due to the later onset of improved seasonal conditions across much of the state, compared to Victoria and NSW. Additionally, key lamb regions in the state have endured below average conditions (when compared to eastern states) where feed availability has limited the amount of time lambs have on pasture. Crossbred lambs account for 44% of state lamb throughput. Between 2018 and 2022 crossbred lamb liveweights out of SA increased by 8%, to average 36.2kg so far in 2022 (Table 1). Similar growth was observed across the Merino wether lamb category, rising by 8% from 2018, to average 34.9kg liveweight in 2022 - yet sitting below the national average, which rose by 16%.