Prime Lamb & Sheep

Total Yarding: 22,737

Lamb numbers lifted and there were around 10,000 new season lambs penned. A large percentage were light lambs or stores. There were a better run of trade lambs and heavy weights were limited. There was a large buying group interested in the lighter lambs while processors were after heavier weights. The market lifted gaining $10 to $15/head across most lambs.

New season store lambs sold from $31 to $104/head to 18kg cwt. Trade weights 20 to 22kg sold from $85 to $113 and the 22 to 24kg lambs ranged from $106 to $126/head. The better end of the lambs averaged between 480c and 520c/kg. Heavy lambs sold from $120 to $136/head or 505c/kg cwt on average and those over 26kg received $131 to $138/head.

Old trade lambs sold from $69 to $85/head while the heavy weights were in demand ranging from $123 to $138 and extra heavy lambs reached $155/head. The best priced hoggets reached $102/head.

Mutton numbers were similar and quality was mixed. Prices were $15 to $20/head stronger. Medium weight ewes sold from $34 to $68 and heavy crossbred ewes reached $95/head. The best for Merinos was $76/head for wethers. Most averaged 200c/kg or better.

Market Report: MLA’s National Livestock Reporting Service. Click here to download full market report.

Photo: 21 XB Lambs sold for $155ph by AgStock on behalf of D&H Ballard.