A Meat and Livestock Australia spokesman said prices are likely to rise in the saleyards which will sting consumers at the shops.

Dubbo mother of four Donna Beasley called current meat prices "disgusting" and said a further price rise would force many families to take meat off the menu.

"You cannot afford to eat meat as it is," Mrs Beasley said. "We have to buy cheaper meat like sausages and mince.

"Gone are the days when you could buy good meat and serve up a lamb roast on Sunday," she said.

Dubbo butcher Danny Perks said higher lamb prices would also hurt small operators - especially in Dubbo where the market is "particularly delicate" - as they shrink profit margins to hold customers.

"We are making nothing on lamb now," Mr Perks said, adding he would not increase prices in line with predicted market forces for fear of losing further trade.

He said a Coonamble family bought meat from his butchery yesterday - an almost 350km round trip - in a sign the pinch is already being felt further west.

Dubbo livestock expert Graeme Board said yesterday the supply of quality lambs at the saleyards has reached critical mass.

"I think the supply of lambs is going to diminish - I think we are going to run out," Mr Board said.

"The better lambs are going to be short for a while... but I don't think meat can get much dearer than it is on the dinner table at the moment, but that is up to suppliers," Mr Board said.

The Daily Liberal understands several meat processors are considering a winter shutdown as supplies shrink.

Roger Fletcher of Fletcher's International Exports could not be contacted for comment yesterday and it is unclear whether production at the Dubbo facility will be affected.

neil.varcoe@ruralpress.com