THE latest survey of Australian sheep producer intentions is expected to give insights into the impact of recent difficult seasonal conditions on lamb turnoff and ewe numbers.

Meat & Livestock Australia senior market information analyst Erin Lukey said the October survey will give the best insight into the hard-to-measure impact of the recent difficult season across Victoria and South Australia covering lamb marking rates and expected sales and timing.

“Both of which will be vital to assessing likely lamb turn-off and mutton turn-off later this year,” she said.

Sheep producers are now being urged to complete the latest industry intentions survey over the next month.

Ms Lukey said the latest MLA and Australian Wool Innovation Sheep Producer Intentions Survey will be lamb-focused.

It will help MLA, AWI, and the broader industry understand the flock profile, expectations for lamb sales, breeding ewe retention, producer intentions, and, importantly, producer sentiment and decision-making factors, she said.

Twice a year, MLA and AWI conduct the survey. The organisations are currently calling for responses throughout October.

Ms Lukey said the October survey results will offer an estimate of the total flock size, a profile of the lamb population, and insights into producer intentions for lambs and breeding ewes.

Ms Lukey said the October survey that opened this week is an essential tool for the supply chain.

“It specifically focuses on producers’ lamb flocks and their intentions for the remainder of the spring flush.

“The survey gathers information on lamb sales to date, projected lamb sales through to the end of the year, and forecasted sales for the first half of the following year,” she said.

“This data provides the industry with a gauge of supply volumes and timing.”

In February, MLA and AWI follow up with respondents for the Producer Update on Lamb Sales Estimates (PULSE) survey. This checks the planned sales against actual sales for the October–December period and offers a revised forecast, highlighting any significant factors that altered planned sales, Ms Lukey said.

“The survey is a valuable source of information with wide-ranging benefits for the supply chain.”

Ms Lukey said the industry benefits of the survey include:

Supports the development and refinement of MLA industry projections, ensuring insights are accurate and targeted.

Helps processors and market analysts plan ahead with projected sales volumes, offering a broad timeline on supply.

Aggregated survey data is published in public reports, accessible to everyone.

Participants can opt-in to receive a report card comparing their responses to aggregated regional data.

Click here to complete the survey.

Source – MLA.