Another record for lamb production is forecast this year, according to Meat & Livestock Australia.
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Market information manager Ben Thomas said the stability in slaughtered-lamb numbers and its pricing was the most interesting two-year trend.
He said the consistency highlighted a greater probability for continued growth in future trends.
“Since 2014, there has only been a four per cent change in the rolling 12-month average number,” Mr Thomas said.
“We are now forecasting 2016 lamb slaughter to be at 23 million head – the fourth consecutive year with a record number.”
Mr Thomas said the boost was assisted by a late autumn break and widespread rain which was likely to continue.
“Reduced volatility in supply has also helped reduce volatility in the average pricing… along with the softer Australian dollar and lower NZ lamb production,” he said.
A lower lamb slaughter in 2017 will be surpassed by 2020 forecasts, with 24 million head estimated.
“Lamb production in 2016 is also expected to reach a new high of 510,600 tonnes carcase weight – up one per cent,” Mr Thomas said.
The rolling 12-month total sheep slaughter continues to trend lower, with mutton prices reflective of the progressively tightening supplies.
Mr Thomas said the forecast for 2016 would remain at 7.8 million head – a nine per cent fall from 2015.
Mutton production forecasts remain well below last year’s level at 185,860 tonnes cwt but is expected to grow beyond 2017 as production mirrors an increase in sheep slaughter.