‘Everyone I talk to thinks the prices will get better’

Highs for lambs and gains for cattle — livestock prices are looking better and margins are boosting after a tough 12 months.

It’s a prime time to be selling good livestock as cattle, lamb and sheep prices continue to gain ground.

The benchmark Eastern Young Cattle Indicator closed at 644c/kg carcass weight on Monday, while the best heavy lambs are pushing close to $300.

Major lamb markets posted strong prices at early sales this week, as prices nudged above 900c/kg carcass weight for the heaviest lines.

And while the cattle market isn’t seeing the highs of its sheep cousins, it’s gradually gaining ground and still tracking above year-ago levels.

Victoria Farmers Federation livestock group president Scott Young said the better prices would encourage producers to stay in the industry after tight margins last year.

“Costs of production have gone through the roof, and we need 750c/kg for lambs to break even,” Mr Young said.

“Hopefully these prices will show there is a light at the end of the tunnel and keep people in stock.”

Mr Young while the cattle prices were not seeing the lift that lambs were, the positivity was there.

“Everyone I talk to thinks the prices will get better and I hope there are better times to come soon for the cattle industry,” he said.

The price lifts come as processor throughput continues to rise, especially for sheep and lamb.

Meat and Livestock Australia market analyst Emily Tan said there had been week-on-week highs set when lamb and sheep slaughter were combined.

“Sheep slaughter was the largest in over two decades at 252,657 (last week),” Ms Tan said.