The Northern Rivers Times
36 RURAL NEWS
January 25, 2024!!!
Anticipated Surge in Lamb Prices Following Robust Start to the 2024 Season in Sheep Saleyards The pricing landscape for lamb may witness an upward trajectory on supermarket shelves in the wake of a significant surge in saleyard sheep prices during the initial fortnight of 2024. Key developments include: • Saleyard lamb prices in Victoria have experienced an escalation of up to $50 per animal as the market for 2024 commences. • Farmers and wholesalers express surprise over the sudden surge, particularly following the low prices observed in the previous year. • Supermarkets are poised to transfer the escalating costs to consumers. Justin Cashman, a Western Victorian sheep farmer and proprietor of Midwest Meats in Colac, voiced his astonishment at the abrupt rise in saleyard prices. “Nobody anticipated prices spiking this rapidly, both from a farmer’s perspective and that of a meat wholesaler. Prices have seen a substantial increase, particularly in the last two weeks.” Recent observations from saleyards reflect this price escalation. In Ballarat, prices on Tuesday were $30 to $50 higher per lamb on average compared to the final sale of 2023. Similar trends were observed in Hamilton and Wagga, with price increments ranging from $30 to $40 and $25 to $40 per lamb on average, respectively. This surge stands in stark contrast to the fall in prices during the spring season,
where the market was inundated with farmers offloading stock. Dissatisfaction prevailed among both farmers and consumers for months, as lower prices failed to manifest on supermarket shelves. In response to the scrutiny, the government has threatened to use “all levers” to ensure supermarkets pass on cost savings. Federal Agriculture Minister Murray Watt expressed concerns over farmers receiving subpar prices and supermarkets imposing substantial mark-ups. Current supermarket prices for lamb reflect stability, with a leg of lamb at $8 per kilo and chops retailing at $12.50. However, these prices are expected to rise as the overall price of sheep climbs. Mr. Cashman highlighted the challenge of sustaining current prices for wholesalers and supermarkets, projecting an inevitable price increase given the recent 30% surge in saleyard prices within the last month. Market analyst and director Matt Dalgleish expressed optimism for the lamb market in 2024. The approaching Australia Day, combined with successful marketing initiatives by Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA), is expected to stimulate consumer demand, contributing to the positive market outlook. Additionally, a shortage of lamb in the retail market during December and January has fueled the current price spike, indicating strong demand.
Unraveling the Surge: Understanding the Intensity of Sudden Downpours in Eastern Australia
During the Christmas of 2023, instead of joy and goodwill, many Australians experienced torrential storms and flash floods, resulting in casualties and widespread destruction. The Insurance Council of Australia reported over 46,000 insurance claims related to extreme weather events, pointing to a significant impact on communities. The key question arises: why are these downpours becoming more intense? Climate Change’s Hand in Intensifying Downpours Australia has warmed by nearly 1.5°C since 1910, and a warmer atmosphere can hold more water. For every 1°C of warming, the atmosphere can accommodate about 7% more moisture, as per the Clausius-Clapeyron equation. While total daily rainfall aligns with expectations from
warming, the intensity of hourly rainfall is on a different trajectory. Studies reveal that hourly rainfall across Australia is increasing at about double or even triple the rate predicted by the ClausiusClapeyron equation. The number of storms might be decreasing in some regions, but the ones that do occur are dumping more rain. Extreme downpours, like those experienced before Christmas, are attributed to a warming planet. The Science Behind the Downpours Dr. Kimberley Reid, a climate scientist, explains that shortduration downpours are influenced by the amount of moisture in the air and a weather system capable of lifting and condensing it into rain. While climate change is increasing the thermodynamics, changing weather systems’ behavior
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remains less certain. Dr. Richard Matear from the CSIRO emphasizes the complexity of attributing specific events to global heating due to the chaotic nature of weather systems. Extreme rainfall is a natural feature of the Australian climate, making it challenging to discern the impact of global warming. However, there’s evidence that global heating influences rainfall extremes over longer timeframes. Increasing Risk and Future Preparedness Despite the expectation of a drier summer due to El Niño, unexpected downpours occurred, possibly influenced by shifting westerly winds and a changing Southern Annular Mode. The increasing intensity of rainfall over short timeframes raises concerns about flash flooding, particularly in
urban areas. Drainage networks and culverts are crucial but may be operating beyond their design capacity. Experts recommend updating Australian design standards to consider a 15% increase in the intensity of sub-daily extreme rain for every degree of global heating. Ongoing efforts by the federal government to update guidelines for major infrastructure projects, including drainage and roads, reflect the need to adapt to the changing environment. In conclusion, the Christmas storms in 2023 serve as a stark reminder of the evolving climate patterns, urging communities and policymakers to enhance preparedness and infrastructure resilience to withstand the increasing challenges posed by extreme weather events.
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