WAMMCO

WAMMCO chairman Dawson Bradford has urged producers to make early booking arrangements for their lambs again this year as the Co-operative’s processing capacity remains under pressure.

“The Katanning plant is already booked through to mid-May and producers should make sure they discuss their production details with their agents and WAMMCO as early as possible to avoid disappointment.”

Dawson said WAMMCO would be endeavouring to avoid delays – especially with prime lambs from areas with water supply and feed problems, but early planning was essential.

He said the Co-operative would be announcing new contract rates for 2005/06 in August.

“More than 50 percent of our production is now heavy lamb for the US, and this season has seen about 20 percent of all Australian lamb bound for the US coming from WA.”

“We are expecting strong demand to continue in both the US and European markets, but with prices dependent on foreign exchange movements and competition from other exporting countries.”