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This week the Australian Lot Feeders’ Association (ALFA) and Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) released results from the March quarter National Feedlot Survey. Conducted quarterly across NFAS-accredited feedlots, the survey captures key data on capacity, turn-off and number of cattle on feed. The findings are published alongside MLA’s Lot Feeding Brief.

This week the Australian Lot Feeders’ Association (ALFA) and Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) ...

Australia’s red meat sector has experienced significant market volatility in recent years. By adjusting for inflation using ABS...

The national sheep flock was built on Merinos and a strong Australian wool sector. More recently, the sector has trended toward...

  • Following the volatile market last year, producers acted cautiously in 2024.

  • Differin...

  • National turnoff lifted 39% to 859,930 for the second-largest quarter on record.

  • Nati...

  • Processors are favouring mutton, as sheep slaughter reaches its largest volume in 18 years.

  • <...
  • The Heavy Steer market appears to be returning to historic trends.

  • Heavy Steer prices...

  • Turnover for the Australian red neat industry eased 2.2% to $81.7 billion.

  • Australia ...

  • Carcase weights have been trending upwards since records began, lifting nearly 100kg.
  • <...
  • Lamb prices have fluctuated unpredictably this year, starting strong, easing off and then rising 30% since...

  • Weekly NLRS lamb slaughter continued to break records throughout 2024, tipping 500,000 seven times.

  • ABS has released five years of backdated herd numbers using a new model over survey data.

  • Data ...

For the past three months, prices for all steer indicators – the Restocker Steer Indicator, Feeder Steer Indicator and Heavy St...

Key points:

  • Heavy lambs fetch a 162¢ premium to light lambs in saleyards.

  • El...

Australia’s red meat sector has experienced significant market volatility in recent years. By adjusting for inflation using ABS Consumer Price Index data, it creates a better understanding of how cattle prices have moved over the past two decades.
The National Mutton Indicator has experienced its most dramatic weekly increase on record, rising to 529c/kg carcase weight (cwt), with daily prices peaking at 551¢/kg cwt late last week.
The national sheep flock was built on Merinos and a strong Australian wool sector. More recently, the sector has trended towards dual-purpose and meat breeds, as well as mixed cropping enterprises. This trend has been influenced by input prices, policy decisions, wool and livestock prices, and shifting generational desires.
Compared to the previous 12 months, the sheep and lamb market has shown strength and stability. However, when we look further back, unpredictability and volatility have continued to impact producers across the country.
Over the past five years, the Australian feedlot sector has grown by 24%. Despite slowed growth this quarter, the sector remains strong, with the number of cattle on feed staying above 1.4 million head, sustaining record-breaking growth.
Sheep slaughter has reached its highest volume in 18 years, indicating processors have been favouring mutton over lamb.
According to MLA, Heavy Steer prices surged 14% from July to September 2024 due to strong supply and demand, reflecting a return to historic market trends.
According to a new report, despite the significant ease in livestock prices, the industry remained resilient in the face of this instability thanks to strong demand across a diversifying export market and strength in the processing sector.
Average carcase weights across all states have eased, quarter-on-quarter, and year-on-year.

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