Beyond the Saleyards: WA lamb market remains a dead zone for trade at the moment with buyers inundated

The WA lamb market remains a dead zone for trade at the moment. Buyers are being inundated with livestock and many are fully booked through June and into July. The general trend is for prices moving lower although the past week has seen some stock types shown support in saleyards. Direct consignment sheep & lamb prices (HSCW) (from the Agora Livestock Markets app) ● XB trade lambs: WA direct: no quote, saleyards: ~$110/head, east coast $6.80 - $7.00 (unchanged) ● Merino trade lambs: WA direct: no quote, saleyards: ~$90/head, east coast $6.20 - $6.80 (unchanged) ● Mutton: WA $3.30 (unchanged), east coast POA (unchanged) Goats remain unchanged across the country with WA at $2.80/kg HSCW and east coast depot prices now at $0.90/kg liveweight. Direct consignment goat prices (from the Agora Livestock Markets app) ● Liveweight: east coast $0.90/kg (unchanged) ● HSCW: WA $2.80c (unchanged), east coast POA (unchanged) Cattle markets have been stable over the past week with trades being done at market levels outlined below. While producers and backgrounders are looking for higher prices on the back of high weaner costs earlier in the year, the reality is processors are not making trading profits at the current levels. Therefore the market is in a sad equilibrium but at least stock is moving (unlike sheep!) Direct consignment live export and feeder cattle prices (from the Agora Livestock Markets app) ● Live export steers $3.80 (unchanged) ● Live export heifers $3.60 (unchanged) ● Feedlot mixed breed steers $4.00-$4.40 (unchanged) ● Feedlot mixed heifers steers $3.60-$4 (unchanged) All prices quoted are available in the Agora Livestock Markets app — available free on the app stores Rob Kelly is the Founder and managing director of Agora Livestock, a free service with the latest sheep, cattle and goat price grids in one easy-to-use app.