Confidence in sheep heading into 2021
A recent survey showed almost all sheepmeat and wool producers will lift or maintain their flocks in 2021. Here’s why.
SHEEP enterprises continue to stack up well against other commodities, driving producers to keenly rebuild the national flock.
The latest Meat and Livestock Australia and Australian Wool Innovation wool and sheepmeat survey showed almost all — 90 per cent of producers — will lift or maintain their flocks.
The report also found Merinos made up 75 per cent of the total Australian breeding flock.
Wool Producers Australia president Ed Storey said the results of the survey spoke to the strength of the industry.
“Despite all the turmoil of 2020, the future for sheep meat and wool production in this country is very bright,” Mr Storey said.
“One thing that’s true is sheep are a fair bit of work, but Australian farmers aren’t afraid of that,” he said.
“In terms of a low-risk enterprise, it’s very complementary if you’ve got a cropping enterprise. We’re seeing vast acres of crops being grazed by sheep during their growing period. In high rainfall zones, the numbers for sheep continue to stack up.”
For the period July to October 2020, almost 22 million lambs were marked, with Merinos making up 56 per cent of all lambs marked.
A total of 22.1 million ewes had been joined in preparation for 2020 lambing, according to the survey.
According to the survey, national Merino marking rates were well below that of non-Merino breeds, sitting at 92 per cent.
MLA manager market information Steve Bignell said the Merino marking rate for the four-month period surveyed spoke to the strength of the season and good nutrition.
“There’s a positive story coming out of this,” Mr Bignell said.
“Intentions are high, the sentiment is high, and there are going to be more producers looking to buy. That demand will stay there, but it also looks like people will hold on to their ewes, creating that dynamic.”
But Mr Bignell said it would be a slower rebuild than following previous droughts.
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