Prime lamb yardings across eastern states saleyards were 35 per cent lower compared with the same week last year, according to Meat and Livestock Australia and the National Livestock Reporting Service.
Trade (16–22kg carcase weight) and heavy lamb (22–26kg) numbers have been impacted by recent hot weather and flooding rains.
MLA says processors have increased their over the hook quotes in an attempt to flush out greater numbers of prime lambs, but appear to have had limited success.
Trade and heavy lamb numbers at physical markets were 37pc and 31pc lower, respectively, year-on-year, resulting in higher quotes from processors and exporters.
The proportion of heavy lambs entering physical markets has increased to 27pc this year, while trades slipped three percentage points to 50pc.
The higher number of heavy lambs can be attributed to the abundance of feed grain supplies after the harvest.
The solid season in Victoria and SA has also allowed farmers to grow more lambs out to heavier weights.
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