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Warning on penalties for over-fat lambs
3 Sep 2003
Farmers keen to add extra weight to suckers have been warned to monitor fat cover amid fears the season could enable buyers to discount over-fat stock. The improving season and low stock numbers on many farms mean the industry is ripe for the re-introduction of price penalties for fat.
Wesfarmers Landmark at Bendigo warned farmers could lose any financial gain if their lambs began putting on fat instead of muscle.
This week at Bendigo, the National Livestock Reporting Service said most suckers were fat score four condition. In past seasons, with the exception of last year's drought, buyers have discounted any lambs above a fat level of 22mm.
During the Spring of October and November 2001, fat score five tradeweight suckers sold for an average 37c/kg less than fat score four types, which is a discount of $7 for fat on a 20kg lamb.
In the 1999 Spring there was a similar penalty, while in 2000 it was not as severe, at 13c/kg.
Weekly Times, 3/9/03, page 28.
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