As expected, the national average weaner calf price has risen, with prices for calves between 200 and 250 kg now at R33.22 per kilogram. Private sales traded at R33.06 per kg last week for this specific weight class, which is now about 6% lower than a year ago when it was at R35.34 per kilogram. Lighter calves under 200 kg are also rising to R32.24, while heavier calves over 250 kg are trading at R34.30 per kilogram. The average price in the Free State is at R33.48, while the price in the Northern Cape and North West is at R33.26 per kilogram. I would also like to note that these are average prices and that factors such as quality, type of animal, and the demand and supply at a specific auction will influence the price. We have also seen that the A2/3 carcass price has risen slightly as expected, now at R53.22, while the C-grade price also rose to R47.59 per kilogram. I believe A-grade and C-grade prices could continue to rise during December, when demand is likely to remain relatively high. Weaner calf prices are now likely near a peak for the year, with perhaps a slight increase still possible. However, from mid-January to mid-February, calf prices are expected to drop a bit. I also think slaughter prices might start to stagnate and possibly show a slight decline as we approach Christmas.

In the sheep industry, the national average feeder lamb price has increased by more than 3%, now standing at R39.46 per kilogram, with the average slaughter lamb price at R39.02. Looking at direct sales, the feeder lamb price is at R41.54, with slaughter lambs at R40.01. The average feeder lamb price in the Free State is at R38.35, while the price in the Western Cape has risen to R42.02 per kilogram. I still feel that prices might continue to show a downward trend until the end of January.
The A2/3 price is stabilizing at R87.59, while the C2/3 price is falling to R63.24 per kilogram. I still believe we can expect better slaughter prices, with forecasts suggesting we might be above the R90 mark in December.
In the wool market, we have also seen good price increases, with RWS wool at a clean price of R166.88 per kg, while non-RWS wool has risen to R164.30 per kilogram. In Australia, the average wool price has increased by 1% to AUD $11.42 per kilogram. The movement of the Rand and Australian Dollar against the US Dollar has helped wool prices here and in Australia, but there are also signs of better demand, which is a positive sign. The market, however, remains under pressure from lower demand from China and Europe, particularly.

Chicken prices are falling, with the frozen ex-abattoir price at R32.51, fresh prices dropping to R34.08, while the IQF price falls to R31.25 per kilogram. I feel these prices can maintain current levels for the rest of the year, with a slight increase also possible due to the weakening of the Rand.

There has also been some positive movement in pork prices, with the latest baconer pig price rising to R33.01, the porker price sharply increasing to R34.05, and the latest sausage pig price rising to R25.83 per kilogram. The expectation is still that prices should remain near current levels until just before Christmas, then fall as we move into the New Year.
Goat prices have dropped in the past week, with the latest large goat price at R33.29, small goats falling to R61.67, medium goats now at R51.07, while goat ewes have risen to R56.06 last week. Goat prices might remain stable until January, but traditionally, we see a sharp drop in February each year.

In the feed market, the latest average Grade 1 lucerne price for the producer has risen slightly to R3100 per ton. Supremes are now finished, as these are the third cuts, while Prima lucerne is trading at R3750, and Grade 2 lucerne is still at R2600 depending on foreign material. Domestic purchases are declining as the Cape is busy harvesting.
The sharp rise in the white maize price has caused a shortage of chop in the market, with the average price rising to R4850 per ton last week, with a possibility of reaching R5000. However, buyers at these levels are few, and we expect significant resistance to further increases. If the Rand strengthens against the Dollar and local maize prices drop a bit, chop prices might start coming down again, but we still think they will remain relatively high until February next year.