The stars are all aligning for the Australian lamb industry this year and Janmac co-principal Grant Hausler is confident it is more than just a flash in the pan.
“It is quite clear that the outlook for lamb is overwhelmingly positive and it is driven by good fundamentals – strong overseas demand with people chasing protein and markets everywhere, and a record low ewe base,” he said.
While the current “perfect storm of high demand and low numbers” is certainly behind market strength, Grant, son Carl and a valued client were recently one of more than 1000 attendees at the bi-annual Lambex conference. His takeaway from there was that the industry optimism is here to stay.
“One of the things we took from Lambex was ‘it’s different this time. The overall trend of positivity is long term, not a bubble or a boom, but a longer consistent trend, which is exciting.”
Grant runs Janmac Poll Dorset and White Suffolk stud with his brother Bryce, son Carl and their families at Goroke, Victoria.
Like many producers across the country, they are experiencing much improved seasonal conditions after a few tough years. With a record number of registered buyers last year, the stud has been encouraged to offer an increased number of rams at their annual on-property sale this year.
About 200 Poll Dorset and White Suffolk rams will go under the hammer on Wednesday October 7 at 1pm.
Last year the 50 registered buyers cleared all 181 rams catalogued to a top price of $7000, with Poll Dorsets averaging $1806 and White Suffolks $1269.
“We still focus on growth and carcass shape and still chase yield because it gives them the flexibility, they have options.
“We are continuing to do what we know works and breed sheep that make our clients’ money,” Grant said.
“Our lamb industry has changed, it isn’t the same it was five years ago – there are markets for super heavy, trade lambs to light lambs, all offering different cuts and opportunities.
“There has also been a change with the rise of the lot feeding industry, which is putting a really solid floor in the store lamb market. That industry going forward will be able to add value to those looking to sell their store lambs, a market that wasn’t there five years ago.”
The national sheep flock was forecast by Meat and Livestock Australia to fall to 67.1 million head by June this year, the lowest figure since 2020, after several years of high turnoff and record production.
“We can’t rebuild the flock quickly; this will underpin the medium-term outlook and see a strong demand for rams.”
This demand along with high lamb prices is likely to flow through to maternals as well, Grant added, with strong clearance rates expected this spring.
Proven genetic lines from Kurralea, Ulandi Park, Mallee Park and Janmac will feature in this year’s sale, as will progeny from a high-performance ram purchased for $15,000 from Ivadene.
“Forward contracts for October are already coming in at 1000 to 1080c/kg, anything with a 10 in front of it is really positive,” Grant said.
“It is very exciting going forward, we are in the box seat with the sheep we already have that drives profit. The type of rams we are breeding continue to perform for our valued clients.”
The Hausler family welcomes all visitors to Janmac, Edenhope Road, Goroke, on Wednesday, October 7th, for the 22nd Annual Production Sale.
For the latest news & sale updates, please visit www.janmac.com.au or Janmac Facebook & Instagram Page.
