Hamilton’s opening sheep sale sets high expectations

Tuesday’s Hamilton Sheep Market could be the turning point the industry has been waiting for.

That’s according to LMB Livestock and Land agent Bernie Grant, who said a full field of processors outbid restockers and feeder interest so that no lambs returned to the paddock.

“It was off the air,” Bernie said.

“Processors were very active and restockers wanted to be.”

Mr Grant said restockers from Horsham, the Wimmera and South East Victoria couldn’t compete with the processors, which bumped prices up as high a $8-9/kg.

“I hope the demand continues. It will be interesting to see what happens next week with a full week of sales,” he said.

The strong competition covered the entire yarding, across all weight categories, with the processors, including both supermarket chains, fully active.

“It could be the turning point and if it is it will be good for producers,” Mr Grant said.

Nutrien Ag Solutions South East Region Livestock Lead Adam Mountjoy said the lamb job had been bolstered by significant summer rain over the new year and processing demand for heavy weight lamb.

“It should auger well for some good trading conditions,” he said.

“The markets have opened considerably dearer than where our last pricing was in second half of December.

“There has certainly been a lift in demand for store lambs.”

Heavy weight lambs are particularly in demand, with a short supply due to farmers choosing to sell instead of grow out lightweight lambs in late 2023.

Elders National Livestock Manager Peter Homann said the lamb market had improved dramatically and that the market has seen the worst of the mutton prices.

“The lamb job has already taken off already, everyone is killing good numbers of lambs, there’s plenty of demand for Australian lamb, the only thing dragging its tail is the mutton price.”

Agents yarded 15,000 lambs at Hamilton with the best heavy lambs making to $280/head with most lambs to the trade realising between 800c/kg and 880c/kg.

The lighter lambs to the Middle East orders made between 750c/kg and 820c/kg.  

Light weight 12 to 16kg new season lambs made $95 to $141/head.

Lambs to the trade 18 to 22kg made from $140 to $228/head.

The 22 to 26kg lines made from $193 to $268/head. Hoggets made to $120/head.