THE latest Sheep Producer Intentions survey is now open for valued feedback from wool and lamb producers across Australia.

Meat & Livestock Australia and Australian Wool Innovation have released the May survey to give an estimate of the total flock size, a breeding ewe profile and measures of producer intentions for lambs, breeding ewes and wethers, with additional analysis on factors impacting on-farm decision making.

MLA senior market information analyst Erin Lukey said the important survey provides results that help industry understand current/future flock demographics, as well as producer intentions and sentiment.

The May survey also highlights that decision drivers have changed, placing more focus on personal circumstances and less on business decisions.

Twice a year, MLA and AWI conduct the Sheep Producer Intentions Survey (SPIS). The survey is open for responses throughout May.

Ms Lukey said one of MLA’s essential roles is to collect, analyse and publish insights on the red meat industry. The SPIS is one of the sources MLA analysts use to understand the current, changing and future dynamics of the national sheep flock.

The SPIS is conducted in two waves each financial year – one in October and one in May. The surveys ask producers for their sentiment towards the sheep and wool sectors, current flock demographics and future intentions. In October, all levy payers are provided with a survey that focuses on the lamb cohort, providing an estimate of the total flock size, a profile of the lamb flock and a measure of producer intentions for lambs and breeding ewes. The October wave is followed by a Producer Update on Lamb Sales Estimates, or PULSE Survey.

Ms Lukey said the May survey data helps analysts improve analysis and forecasts, and is used as a tool when developing MLA programs, ensuring that adoption and communication efforts are matching industry sentiment.

Click here for insights from previous May surveys and to take the survey.

Source – MLA.