AuctionsPlus sheep and lamb listings increased again this week, up 6% from last week, to 61,510 head. New season lamb offerings remained high, making up 60% of the total lamb listings. The large offering was matched with strong buyer demand, as the category recorded an 85% clearance rate.
Crossbred lambs had the largest offering this week at 16,072 head, averaging $4 dearer at $161/head. Merino ewe lambs recorded the highest average price increase, up $37 on last week to $236/head – with a 90% clearance rate for the 2,208 head offered. The Merino wether lamb offering remained steady this week, with a 71% clearance rate achieved for the 8,613 head offered. The category recorded a cheaper trend, down $17 to average $143/head for the week. First cross ewe lambs also registered a higher average price for the week, up $12, at $274/head for the 1,580 head offered.
The shedding breed lamb offering was down significantly this week, with somewhat of a standoff occurring between buyers and sellers. While a $27 price increase was registered, averaging $254/head for the week, there was a very low clearance rate registered, despite plenty of interest and bids – signalling some distance remaining between top bids and reserve price levels. The top priced lot in the National Lamb Sale was a line of 91 Australian White future breeder ewe lambs, selling for $474/head. The lambs averaged 31kg liveweight and were from Junee, NSW.
Joined ewe listings jumped 11% this week, to 18,722 head. SIL Merino ewes headlined the offering again this week, with the 5,820 head finishing $6 dearer, to average $265/head. SIL Composite/other breed ewes again registered positive prices this week, achieving an 80% clearance rate for the 2,139 head listed – averaging $1 higher on last week, at $300/head.
SIL shedding breed ewe listings slipped this week to 1,132 head – down from 1,600 head last week. Demand for this category remained excellent, with a 100% clearance rate, with prices back, at $363/head. The top priced lot in the Tuesday National Sheep Sale was a line of 136 SIL Nudie ewe lambs, selling for $546/head. The lot averaged 47kg liveweight and was from Glenthompson, VIC.
NOTE: Prices as at 5pm, Thursday 5th July, 2021