AuctionsPlus’ sheep and lamb listings decreased 36% this week, totaling 44,769 head – breaking the recent run of increased weekly throughput. Prices again fluctuated across the categories, despite the decrease in supplies. Lambs observed a price increase in three-out-of-five categories, with an overall clearance rate of 67%, while joined ewes recorded an overall price decrease across the indicative categories.
Compared to last week, lamb categories reported an upward trend in prices, with only two categories reporting a slight decline - Merino wether lambs and Merino ewe lambs. Merino wethers had the highest number of listings for the week at 8,689 head, but despite supplies decreasing on last week, demand was also weaker, with only a 49% clearance rate achieved. The category saw a $2 decrease for the second consecutive week to average $133/head. Merino ewe lambs maintained a healthy clearance rate of 67% for the 1,845 head offered, while decreasing $12 on last week, to average $187/head.
Crossbred lambs observed the biggest price increase for the week, averaging $249/head for the 5,473 head offered - increasing $94/head on last week. First cross ewes continued to be in high demand, observing an 83% clearance rate for the 1,678 head offered. The category averaged $270, increasing $46/head on last week.
The joined ewe offering halved this week, with only 13,627 head listed, however, an increase in prices was observed across three-out-of-six categories - highlighted by the SIL shedding breeds. The category recorded a strong clearance rate of 95% for the 1,640 head offered to average $480, up $84/head on last week. Prices for this category jumped largely due to a run of 41 Australian Whites, selling for an unprecedented $988 - breaking the AuctionsPlus record by over $300/head. These SIL ewe lambs were 10-11 months old, averaged just over 57kg and were joined to Tattykeel Australian White stud rams.
SM shedding breeds continue to be highly sought after, with the total offering managing to secure a buyer. Despite the offering halving on last week, prices softened to average $301/head.
NSM lines this week climbed in value, with only one category reporting cheaper trends. First cross ewes decreased by $39 to average $253/head, with only a 44% clearance rate for the 857 head offered.
NOTE: Prices as at 5pm, Thursday 17th June, 2021