Weekly Sheep & Lamb Comments - 26.11.21

Despite widespread heavy rainfall across much of the eastern states this week, AuctionsPlus sheep and lamb listings increased by 26%, to total 127,791 head. Compared to the same week in 2020, which was the largest sheep throughput for the year, listings were 16% lower. Of note this week was a jump in Western Australian offerings, up 156% on last week, with several large offerings of Merino wethers and wether lambs aimed at buyers from the Eastern states. Top purchasing regions this week included the NSW Central West (17,266 head), NSW Riverina (15,654 head) and Southwest Victoria (8,040 head).

Four of the six lamb categories recorded a drop in average prices this week, as crossbred and composite/other breed lambs averaged dearer.

Crossbred lambs accounted for 30% of the catalogue this week, with the 38,134 head offered matched by robust demand from both restockers and processors, as the category returned a clearance of 88%. Prices for the category ranged from $101-$226/head, to average $158/head - up $4 on last week. The NSW Riverina was the top purchasing region for crossbred lambs, securing 6,802 head.

Merino wether lambs made up 13% of listings, at 16,056 head, with prices averaging $134/head – back $5. The weight range within the offering ranged from 25-45kgs, with 86% of the offering weighing between 25-35kg liveweight. Demand for the category remained subdued for the second consecutive week, with a clearance rate of 62%.

First cross ewe lambs had the largest price reduction this week, with the category averaging $205/head – back $45. The clearance rate of 49% was down from the previous weeks 61%. The top price for the category consisted of 195 head of Apr/May ’21 drop Border Leicester/Merino future breeder ewe lambs from Telopea Downs, Victoria, which averaged 50.1kg liveweight and returned $288/head.

Merino ewe hogget numbers held firm on last week, totaling 10,325 head. Prices ranged from $143-$297/head, to average $239 /head – back $30, with clearance rates increasing from last week to total 62%.

NOTE: Prices as at 5pm, Thursday 25^th November, 2021