AuctionsPlus sheep and lamb listings tailed off this week, with the platform registering a 9% decrease from last week, at 48,836 head. With forecasts of more rain on its way in the Eastern States, seasonal conditions are encouraging restockers and feeders to look closer at the lamb market, while the clearance rate for the joined ewe categories decreased.
Lambs dominated this week’s offering, experiencing a price increase in four-out-of-six categories. Despite the higher week-on-week listing of 27,255 head, it seemed that the widespread wet conditions underpinned confidence, resulting in strong prices and clearance rates across most lamb categories. Merino wethers registered the highest number of listings at 11,776 head - up 3,087 head on the week prior. The category recorded a $14 increase, averaging $155/head, with a clearance rate of 80%. In contrast, Merino ewe lambs fell in value this week, with the 2,249 head listed recording a $29/head decrease, but a competitive clearance rate of 93%.
Crossbred lambs and first cross ewe lambs continued to be in high demand, noting $10 and $17/head increases. Shedding breed lambs observed the highest increase for the week, averaging $259/head for the 1,604 offered – increasing $55 on last week, with an 88% clearance rate.
The joined ewe offering eased this week, with only 17,609 head listed. The reduced supply was met with softer demand, with clearance rates averaging 53% across the relevant categories. With seasonal conditions very good across many states, producers appear to have seized the opportunity to be selective on when to hold and sell breeding stock. SIL Merino ewes fell again this week, slipping $7, to average at $243/head for the 5,465 head offered. SIL first cross ewes and composite/other breed articles recorded a positive change, up $19 and $91/head, respectively. SIL shedding breed ewes recorded a consecutive week-on-week rise, averaging at $420 – boosted again by a line of Aussie White cross ewes in Armidale receiving $496/head.
SM ewes registered lower offerings this week, with two-out-of-three categories declining in price. SM Merino ewes registered a $62 fall, to average at $153/head - with a low clearance rate of 38%. Similarly, SM shedding breeds recorded a sharp decrease of $197, to average at $314/head - however they did achieve a 94% clearance rate.
NSM lines experienced a further fall in prices this week, with only two lots of merino hogget and shedding breed ewes registering sales.
NOTE: Prices as at 5pm, Thursday 1st July, 2021