Weekly Sheep & Lamb Comments - Week ending Friday 23rd August

AuctionsPlus commercial cattle numbers fell by 24% this week, with the 10,720 head attracting stronger demand than last week with clearance increasing 10-percentage-points to 77%. The stronger demand was felt across all stock categories this week, with only one category from each of steers, heifers and breeding stock falling in value. The lighter end of the steer and heifer market recorded the strongest gains after falling last week, while the heavier end of the market continues its strong run.

AuctionsPlus commercial sheep and lamb listings were steady this week, with a total of 33,342 head offered. 

Feeder steers (400kg and above) on a cents per kilo basis enjoyed the highest average for all steer categories. Feeder steers averaged 412c, which was 6c above the 280-330kg steer category which averaged 406c.

New season lambs have hit the market in much larger numbers, with the 17,690 head jumping almost 200% from last week’s 5,965 head offering. This week’s offering made up 82% of all new season lambs offered for the year.

AuctionsPlus commercial cattle numbers lifted 31% this week to 12,441 head offered.

AuctionsPlus commercial sheep and lamb listings lifted an additional 62% this week, totaling 20,732 head. The increased offering was positively received, with all key indicators finishing the week in the green, including a substantial upswing in prices.

AuctionsPlus commercial cattle numbers fell 24% this week to 9,525 head offered. The Value Over Reserve increased $8/head to $95, while the clearance rate fell 8 percentage points to 82%.

AuctionsPlus commercial sheep and lamb listings dropped a further 24% this week, totaling 12,831 head, and clearance rates also dropped 20 percentage points to 52%.