Mutton slaughter numbers in two-decade high

Mutton has emerged as a surprise star performer in livestock markets this year, while the most recent weekly slaughter numbers are the highest since 2003.

Australian processors have killed more mutton than ever this year with the most recent weekly slaughter numbers the highest since 2003.

And some believe that high kill number could see prices get even stronger next year as processors look to source numbers.

Mutton has emerged as a surprise star performer in livestock markets this year with the national indicator closing on Monday at 395c/kg, 64 per cent higher than 12 months ago.

Bendigo’s mutton market on Monday was quoted up to $20 dearer selling up to 480c/kg carcass weight while there was a similar trend at Corowa, NSW, on the same day.

The high mutton kill is contributing to predictions that the sheep flock will slip to its lowest level in more than a century.

Meat and Livestock Australia senior market information analyst Erin Lukey said mutton volumes had been high this year.

“Sheep slaughter reached the largest weekly slaughter since 2003 ... Western Australia and NSW both reached the largest weekly slaughter figures in more than two decades,” Ms Lukey said.

“Mutton volumes have lifted dramatically across the country, indicating strength in our export market demand but also an indication of producer decision making.”

Ms Lukey said mutton was contributing to an estimated sheep and lamb kill of 37 million before December numbers were included.

“Australia has not surpassed 35 million in a total calendar year before, enforcing how capable the sector is to absorb a new normal of production,” she said.

Corcoran Parker agent Clynton Rixon from Corowa said southern markets like Ballarat, Hamilton and Bendigo, as well as the major centre of Wagga Wagga, NSW, had seen big yardings of mutton sheep as producers weaned lambs and quit ewes.

“The biggest thing across all sheep and lamb categories is there is not a lot of weight around,” Mr Rixon said.

“You would have to think that prices for mutton have the ability to be stronger in the new year.”

Peter Robertson from Jerilderie, NSW, sold Merinos this week at Corowa and topped at $138 for mixed age ewes, which sold to the Junee abattoir, but his Merino hoggets made more than $200.

Peter Robertson from Woodside North at Jerilderie, NSW, sold a range of ages of Merinos at the Corowa sheep sale, including a line of older ewes that made $138. Mr Robertson said a year ago, the same quality ewes would not have made $50.

It’s a big turnaround for what he described as “atrocious prices” a year ago.

“If we had sold these mixed age ewes last year, we would have been lucky to get $50 for them, and probably wouldn’t have,” Mr Robertson said.

“It really was a diabolical year for the sheep industry and we are seeing that flow through now as people didn’t want to stick with sheep.”