White Suffolk listings on AuctionsPlus have seen considerable growth over recent years, with a listings increase of 130% from 2016 to 2020, with a peak of 437,603 head offered.
Figure 1: White Suffolk Listings on AuctionsPlus 2016 - 2021
The first half of 2021 has seen 157,071 head of White Suffolk’s offered online with seasonal trends indicating the biggest months for White Suffolk listings are still to come. Historically, White Suffolk new season lambs boost throughput levels in Spring which will strongly dictate total listing numbers for 2021. The favourable seasonal outlook for the next three months creates the opportunity for lambs to put condition on, which could see store lamb numbers continue to rise beyond the highs of 2020.
Figure 2: White Suffolk Seasonal Listings on AuctionsPlus from 2016 - 2021
2020 growth for the stock category was underpinned by restocker demand and positive seasonal conditions across the eastern states. Rebuilding flock numbers has corresponded with significant price returns for all livestock across the market as the strength of prices remain robust through the first half of 2021 which supports ongoing producer demand.
Figure 3: Annual Average Prices for White Suffolk Ewes
In line with listing numbers, White Suffolk ewe prices saw a significant increase in 2020 particularly for first cross offerings which increased 44% from 2019 to average $238/head. The growing value placed on first cross White Suffolk ewes in the sheep industry is clear, with prices in 2020 averaging 216% higher than 2016. The first half of 2021 has seen purebred White Suffolk ewe prices continue to increase, averaging 38% higher to average $409/head. Prices for first cross ewes are back 13% from 2020 to average $208/head.
Figure 4: Yearly Average Prices for White Suffolk Mixed Sexes
Underpinned by strong demand in both domestic and export markets, prices for first and second cross mixed sex lambs have risen year-on-year with the exception of 2018. Since 2016, both first and second cross White Suffolk mixed sex lambs have increased by an average of 10.5% annually. For the first half of 2021, first and second cross mixed sex lambs have averaged $159/head and $171/head, respectively. Second cross lambs have traded as a premium to first cross lambs on AuctionsPlus since 2016, with White Suffolk X Border Leicester/Merino’s making up 49% of the second cross offering.
Figure 5: State White Suffolk Listings and Purchases Breakdown (2016-2021)
As shown in Figure 5, State based listings for White Suffolk’s between 2016 -June 2021 indicate that New South Wales have considerable share of both online listings and purchases for the breed making up 48% and 49% of the offering, respectively. On a regional level Central Western NSW, tops the listings for the state making up 24% of the offering, whilst the NSW Riverina region tops the state purchases, securing 35%.
Clearance rates from 2016-2021 reflect the market volatility from fluctuations in supply and seasonal conditions, with lower clearance correlating to dry periods when listings are higher, and producers destock. As shown in Figure 6, demand for White Suffolk’s, particularly the mixed sex category has been strong - averaging 87% since 2016. This is significantly higher than the AuctionsPlus yearly sheep clearance average of 75% for the same period.
As positive seasonal conditions continue to facilitate the growth and rebuild of the national flock, demand for the White Suffolk breed is set to remain high - particularly heading into spring lamb selling season.
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