The largest sheep and lamb offering on AuctionsPlus so far in 2021 saw a 32% rise in listings to total 150,503 head. The month of September has exceeded 593,000 head of commercial sheep and lambs offered online – well above throughput levels from 2020 and indicative of a prosperous winter lambing season. Widespread rain across much of the eastern seaboard during the week incentivized both buyers and sellers to trade new season lambs - with a total of 92,545 lambs offered. Results were mixed across the board with three of the six lamb categories averaging higher than the previous week. Central Western NSW was the top purchasing region, securing 34,254 head whilst the NSW Riverina and NW Victoria secured 11,520 and 6,411 head, respectively.
Crossbred lambs comprised of 22% of the total listing this week, with a total of 33,112 head catalogued – 25% higher than the previous week. Robust demand saw clearance rates increase to 91% with the category averaging $164/head - $1 higher than last week.
Merino wether lamb numbers increased by 46% to total 41,401 head offered. Making up 28% of the catalogue this week, the category saw a drop in clearance to 71% whilst the average price held relatively firm at $138/head - $2 less than last week.
First cross ewe lamb numbers held firm on last week, with 9,278 head offered. Prices dipped by $18 with the category averaging $294/head as demand softened with a 76% clearance recorded.
Merino ewe lambs saw a 46% contraction in numbers with 2,452 head offered. The reduced offering bolstered clearance levels to 96% as the category sold $44 higher than last week at $266/head. The top price for the category consisted of 900 Merino ewe lambs from Karoonda, SA split across three even lots which returned $350/head. These ewes weigh an average of 66.7kg and will travel to buyers in SA and NSW.
Joined ewe numbers remained steady from last week with a total of 6,662 head offered across the seven categories. Station mated shedding breed ewes had the largest offering with 2,992 head listed online. The category saw clearance rise from last week to 71% despite the average dropping $50 to $296/head.
Non station mated listings increased this week with Merino ewe hoggets offering a total of 19,203 head – 40% more than last week. Clearance held steady at 68% with the category averaging $2 less from last week at $289/head, with prices ranging from $190 to $400/head. Topping the category this week included 600 head of June/July ’20 drop Merino ewes from Marnoo, VIC. Split across three even lots and weighing an average of 53.7kg liveweight, the ewes are of Glendemar MPM bloodlines and will travel to SW VIC and Central Western NSW.
NOTE: Prices as at 5pm, Thursday 30th September, 2021