There is no doubt producers are facing a vast and increasing range of data generated by new technology. MLA aims to facilitate the capture and use of relevant data, helping producers by providing information that is relevant to their business.
With that in mind, these services were created to respond to:
- producer and industry feedback
- a desire to create efficiencies in service provision
- the need to manage the capture and distribution of data from multiple and rapidly increasing sources.
Why isn’t there information for every saleyard across Australia?
MLA currently collects data and reports from over 60 sheep and cattle sales on a weekly basis. Each year the markets reported are reviewed and adjusted according to throughput, to ensure major regional selling centres in each state are captured. If you’re closest saleyard is not available, MLA suggests monitoring the next closest to you, or one of the state specific indicators.
Visit the dynamic reports section of prices and markets and choose the saleyards and type/category of stock, select price trends over time (ranging from 3 months -3 years) and view the specific data. If its prices you are after, then hover your cursor over the chart, however for the corresponding historical commentary click ‘excel’ to download a spreadsheet that contains all the required information. If you require a specific report from a date, for a stock squad investigation for example (which occurs every now and again), please email marketinfo@mla.com.au
The link to the statistics database can be found on the prices and markets homepage at the top on the right hand side, in a green box that says ‘search statistics database’ and is also the first option in the data library section of the webpage.
How is this upgrade different to the market statistics database?
This tool allows you to interact more freely with the individual saleyard data and key indicators for up to a three year period. The market statistics database still houses key livestock indicators and export, retail and herd/flock information, and allows you to dive deeper into the data – beyond three years.
How do I see the prices in $/head (or ¢/kg lwt, ¢/kg cwt or number of head)?
‘View as’ is an option on the right hand side above the graphs for viewing price data in ¢/kg lwt, ¢/kg cwt and $/head for cattle and ¢/kg cwt and $/head for sheep. You can also select the number of head “head no.” to see how many cattle are contributing to the prices you are monitoring or the number of cattle/sheep that fall into that category.
How do I unselect a state/saleyard/category etc in the prices and market reports section?
The selections you make will show in grey. If you wish to change one or unselect one (such as state), simply click on it again so it returns to white.
How do I download data for a category (e.g. yearling steers) through a saleyard?
Go to the market reports and prices page and select the saleyard and category. Once you have found the specifications of interest, click on ‘export as excel’ in the bottom right hand corner.
Is MLA’s wide range of market information publications still available?
Yes, the following publications can be accessed in the usual way:
LiveLink – a monthly summary of live export including number of head, prices, destination and state export from – historical data is available in MI database.
Cattle Projections – forecasts on market influences, herd numbers, exports and production.
Sheep Projections – forecasts on market influences, flock numbers, exports and production.
Lotfeeding brief – snapshot of the lotfeeding industry, including number on feed and influences on the lot feeding industry – historical data is available in the Market Statistics Database.
Co-product reports – offal and co-product exports, prices and demand factors – historical data is available in the Market Statistics Database.
Red meat market snapshots – provides statistics and insights on Australian red meat export destinations, including population, consumer behaviour, exports, in market trends, competitors and cooking styles.
Meat and Livestock Weekly Stats – statistical summary which encompasses the domestic market, including saleyard prices, over-the-hook prices, feeder and live export quotes as well as co-products, slaughter and throughput information across the cattle and sheep markets.
Industry Fast Facts – includes herd facts and figures, employment, production, value, domestic value and consumption, export value and volume and Australia’s place in the world for sheep, goats and beef.
History of sheep and cattle prices – gives a history of the Australian sheep and cattle industry and reports of the value of prices in real terms.
Livestock distribution maps – shows the distribution of the cattle herd and sheep flock across the Natural Resource Management regions and includes special maps like the cattle population that is effected by blue tongue virus.
Other useful acronyms:
| Cattle |
Sheep & Lamb |
| FD: Feeder |
RS: Restocker |
| RS: Restocker |
MR: Merino |
| GF: Certified Grainfed |
RM: Restocker Merino |
| DA: Dairy |
1X: 1st Cross |
| PC: Pastoral Cattle |
FD: Feeder |
| |
DP: Dorper |
For more information please email marketinfo@mla.com.au or call 1800 023100.
Need help?
If you’re unable to find the answers you’re looking for on this page, please complete our 'Need help?' form or call Customer Service on 1800 683 111 (Monday-Friday 8am-7pm AEST).
