TIGHTER availability assisted autumn lamb prices, but most National Livestock Reporting Service indicators were lower year-on-year, MLA said.

Only the national trade lamb indicator remained 19 cents above its five-year average of 505c/kg with an autumn 2015 average of 524c/kg cwt, despite overall lamb prices averaging lower during the period.

MLA said the national restocker lamb indicator decreased 11 cents from autumn last year, averaging 505c/kg, while the Merino lamb indicator fell 16 cents to 483c/kg cwt.

The light lamb indicator gained 6 cents year-on-year, to 513 c/kg, while the heavy lamb indicator eased 40 cents to average 544c/kg cwt.

Autumn lamb throughput eased 11pc on 2014 level

MLA said national lamb saleyard throughput eased 11 percent during autumn, totalling 2,289,474 head, as eastern states lamb availability tightened. Average seasonal conditions were noted in the majority of the eastern states during autumn, while the west recorded ‘above average’ rainfall.

NSW supply was 7pc lower than autumn last year, to 1,201,040 head, while SA consignments declined 33pc, to 188,285 head. Offerings in Victoria fell 13pc to 692,287 head and WA supply lifted marginally, to 193,160 head.

Source: MLA.