AuctionsPlus sheep and lamb numbers for the third week of January increased by 35% week-on-week, to total 113,382 head. Despite growing lamb numbers continuing to be offered online, some purchasing hesitation through the supply chain resulted in patchy clearance rates across both lamb and unjoined ewe categories for the week. A notable rise in joined ewe listings was registered this week, with a total of 12,321 head offered - doubling last week’s total. One of the features for this week was across the scanned-in-lamb ewe offerings, which returned solid prices and high clearance rates.
A total of 74,876 new season lambs were offered this week, with four of the six categories averaging higher than last week. Crossbred lambs accounted for 26% of the total offering, with clearance levels remaining seasonally high at 92%, as the category averaged $160/head - up $5 from last week. A large proportion of the offering continued to flow out of south-west Victoria, with the region offering 12,053 crossbred lambs.
Merino wether lambs had a total offering of 21,355 head for the week, with prices ranging from $91-$178, to average $138/head – up $4. Clearance rates for the category remained strong again this week, at 85%. A large run of 1,055 head of Aug/Sep ’21 drop lambs from Walgett NSW, weighing 34kg liveweight returned $157/head.
First cross ewe lambs had a total of 9,425 head offered this week, with the category recording very low clearance rate, at 26%, with buyers favouring the heaviest lines. Prices for the category averaged $270/head – up $28 from last week, with a clear separation between buyer and seller price points.
Across the joined ewe categories, station-mated shedding breed ewes had a total of 4,958 head offered this week, with the category averaging $327/head - up $24 from last week. The larger offering was met with strong demand, with clearance rates reaching 91%. A line of 620 White Dorper ewes aged 6-14 months from Wentworth NSW, weighing 46kg liveweight, sold $120 above the reserve, hitting $400/head and will travel to Blackall, Queensland.
Scanned in lamb Merino ewes had a total of 3,668 head offered this week, with the category returning a 77% clearance. Prices ranged from $200-$336, to average $268/head - back $4. Scanned-in-lamb shedding breed ewes had a comparatively smaller offering of 928 head, which was met with robust demand, as the category registered a 97% clearance rate, with prices increasing $94 week-on-week, to average $444/head.
Unjoined ewe categories recorded a fall in prices across the board this week. NSM Merino ewe hoggets had a total offering of 5,191 head this week, with the increased supply resulting in prices ranging from $165-$305, to average $233/head - $47 lower on last week. NSM first cross ewes yielded similar results, with the offering of 7,911 head averaging $60 cheaper from last week, to average $263/head, with subdued 39% clearance rate.
NOTE: Prices as at 5pm, Thursday 20th January 2022