As the first week of winter is almost in the rear-view mirror, AuctionsPlus sheep and lamb numbers increased 15% from the previous week, to see a total offering of 65,899 head - the first week-on-week increase in numbers since April. Quality feed in paddocks has supported ewe condition and preg scanning percentages, leading SIL Merino ewes to take the market by storm this week, with listings making up almost 20% of the weekly offering and prices averaging $47/head higher.
AuctionsPlus lamb offerings saw price lifts across five of the six categories this week, with first cross ewe lambs seeing the largest change, increasing by $58/head. Merino ewe lambs were the only category to ease, declining a further $10 on last week, to average $175/head. The second consecutive weekly decline for Merino ewe lambs was underpinned by a disappointing 36% clearance rate – largely influenced by the weekly offering more than doubling on last week, with 3,822 head offered.
The robust demand for shedding breeds continued this week, with shedding lambs jumping a further $40 from last week, to average $301/head. Despite a 15% contraction in listings, clearance rates for the category dropped back to 70% this week, down from 92% last week. The top price for the category was achieved by a line of scanned empty Australian White ewe lambs from Kingscote, SA which returned $381/head.
The crossbred and composite/other breed lambs averaged $4 and $9/head higher respectively this week. The crossbred lamb offering contracted by 55% from last week, with 2,033 head offered – as robust demand pushed clearance rates up to 96%.
Mixed ewes and lambs saw a large jump in demand this week, with 100% clearance registered on the offering of 1,575 head. Increased demand lifted prices, with an increase of $16 this week to average $321/head. Merino ewes and lambs saw an increased offering of 3,209 head, with the lift in clearances to 80%, helping prices to increase by $7, to average $287/head.
SIL Merino ewes were the bright sport for the joined ewe categories, with the 12,790 head registering a 66% clearance rate and averaging $47 higher on last week, averaging $279/head. In contrast, SIL first cross ewes, dropped by $11, to average $312/head.
NOTE: Prices as at 5pm Thursday, 3rd June 2021.
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