SHEEP farmers have reported a total breeding flock of 42.5M head, an increase of 500,000 ewes since last year, according to Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) and the Australian Wool Innovation’s (AWI) Wool and Sheep Meat Survey Report for June 2022.
The survey, which runs three times a year, collects sheepmeat industry livestock numbers and lamb production expectation to generate better forecasts so that producers can make efficient decisions.
Australian producers reported 22M lambs on hand. Merinos made up 55 percent of the total flock, at 12M head, followed by First Cross and Pure Meat lambs.
According to Ripley Atkinson, MLA’s senior market information analyst, the desire to retain breeding ewe populations stems from stellar growing seasons, particularly in the eastern states.
“Compared to the last survey released in February of this year, 27 percent of producers surveyed said that they would like to increase their ewe flock, while 60 percent indicated they would like to retain current numbers.
“The majority of this growth is coming from eastern Victoria, northern NSW and southern Queensland where there have been very wet conditions. This demonstrates plenty of confidence in the market with room for growth moving into spring,” said Mr Atkinson.
A total of 7.6M lambs are expected to be sold in the next four months, approximately 34 percent of the total number of lambs on hand.
“With the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting strong seasonal conditions for the eastern states as the new season lambs hit the market, the signs are looking positive for the Australian sheepmeat industry,” said Mr Atkinson.
