The Australian sheepmeat industry is set for another bumper year in 2023 as the national sheep flock grows to its highest level since 2007 at 78.75m head, according to the latest Sheep Industry Projections update from Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA).
Driving this increase are optimal breeding conditions nationwide, a genetically superior flock, improved lambing percentages and medium-term industry confidence at the farm gate level.
Growth is forecast across all states, with larger improvements in flock numbers expected from South Australia, Western Australia, Queensland and Tasmania. The key sheep producing states of New South Wales and Victoria are also forecast to lift numbers, although not as significantly as other states.
In 2024 the national flock’s growth is projected to moderate and plateau, reaching 79.5 million head, a rise of 1%, or 750,000 head year-on-year.
Carcase weights are also forecast to increase in 2023. This is primarily due to structural genetic investment and productive improvement in the national flock over the past two years. In 2023, lamb carcass weights are forecast to remain high at 25.1kg. This would be 11%, or 2.5kg/head, above the 10- year average.
The industry’s ability to continue to deliver high quality protein and be a world-leading producer will define 2023 as a positive and optimistic year.