With the prices paid for mutton sheep again stronger at Ballarat on Tuesday the longer term future for the whole of the sheep industry continues to look bright.
That’s the opinion of Graeme Cook, Ararat Meat Exports, Ararat who has spent more than 50 years in industry specializing as a mutton processor buyer.
“I think mutton have gotten as dear as it can for the time being,” Mr Cook told Stock & Land on Tuesday.
“Numbers are tight and a concern for the industry going forward, and with the declining state of the national flock we’ve expecting difficult times for at least another two to three years.
“It’s happened before where kills have been supplemented with goats and the likes so for the short term we’d expect plants to miss days or close for periods rather than chase for numbers.
“However we do believe the days of $3/kg mutton are behind the industry.
“The product is selling and we don’t hear of any unsold remaining in storage, which is a good sign these higher price levels of can be maintained.”
