Andrew Peadon - Barlow & Peadon

Andrew Peadon
Principal
Barlow & Peadon

As 2018 comes to an end, what a year it has been.

In the central west of NSW, we have been fortunate to have seen storm rain fall over the past 2 months. Like any storm rain it has had a mixed response with some doing very well and others missing out completely. People are now starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel, while we are not out of trouble yet this break in the dry pattern is having a positive effect on rural communities.

We have seen lamb prices increase quickly as supply of heavy weights have declined. At Dubbo recently, we saw $231.00 achieved for White Suffolk Merino cross lambs. They averaged 67kgs live weight, the lambs were bred, fattened and shorn by the vendor. This was a great achievement by a husband and wife team from Tomingley, south of Dubbo.

We have seen store crossbred lamb prices soar due to forward lamb contracts in early 2019. Lamb producers and fatteners have come a long way in the last 10 years. There are numerous on-farm feedlots that have been set up and are helping put people in front of the game. Mutton prices continue to hold firm and wool prices have come off the high that they were on, but it is still at a very acceptable level.  Going forward the sheep section is looking very strong and will remain so for a long time to come.

The cattle market is overall very strong, feeder steers are selling for up to 320c/kg live weight, trade and yearling cattle have also been selling well. The cow market is coming off a high but is still strong. Store cattle have been selling very well both in the market place and on auctions plus.

One of the best changes we have seen in the last 15 to 20 years has been the marketing of livestock on the internet. This gives both vendors and agents great avenues to buyers Australian wide. This form of marketing will only improve in the coming years.

It has also been pleasing to see producers who expected to harvest no grain at all to now with recent rainfall, harvest a small amount so they in some cases have enough seed for next year. On the property front it was pleasing to see a good mixed farming property of 2,560 acres sold after auction for just short of $1,300/acre. There is another farming and irrigation property that is under offer and should be finalised in the coming weeks. There is still plenty of enquiries for good mixed farming properties in our area. Going forward all the signs are there for a very exciting 2019.