*Originally published Wednesday 23rd February 2022 - Updated Friday 25th February 2022
Sheep and lamb numbers increased again this week, jumping 18% to total 134,274 head - the largest weekly commercial offering since December 2021. The increased supply of both joined and unjoined grown ewes was matched with sustained restocker demand, while lamb categories experienced an overall dip in clearance rates.
Lamb numbers totaled 71,303 head this week, with mixed results, as three of the six key categories averaged higher week-on-week. Notable reductions in clearance rates were registered for the two largest categories, with crossbred and Merino wether lambs reaching final clearance rates of 57% and 59%, respectively. Lambs grown to heavier weights were prominent across the offering this week, with most listings coming from Western Queensland, Central Western NSW and Southwest Victoria.
Crossbred lamb numbers recorded a large rise in offerings this week - up 72% to total 23,778 head. Prices for the category slipped $7 from last week, to average $154/head, with the increased offering sparking a drop in clearance rates. Hailing from Weerite, Victoria, two large runs of Cashmore Poll Dorset/Composite mixed sex suckers totaling 1,800 head returned $149/head, with the lambs aged 6-7 months weighing 32.6kg liveweight.
Merino wether lamb numbers also rose week-on-week, with a total of 22,469 head listed. While clearance rates were subdued, prices remained robust to average $136/head - up $4. Merino ewe lamb numbers held firm on last week, with a total of 2,181 head. Prices for the category increased $26 to average $289/head, with high demand pushing clearance rates to 90%. Topping the Merino ewe category was a line of 135 May/Jun ’21 Poll Merino lambs from Wirrabara, SA, which averaged 40kg liveweight and returned $220/head
First cross ewe lambs totaled 9,003 head, with the offering averaging $257/head - up $28 with clearance levels remaining low at 39%.
Joined ewes totaled 28,926 head this week, accounting for 22% of the total offering. SIL Merino ewes had a total of 11,165 head offered, with the category averaging $268/head - back $9 with clearance rates reaching 50%.
Station Mated Merino ewes totaled 5,364 head, with the $73 increase for the week erasing last week’s drop, averaging $230/head, with clearance rates reaching 77%.
Station Mated Shedding breed ewes had 5,674 head listed, with the category rising $106 from last week, to average $361/head. From Morvern, Queensland, a line consisting of 850 SM Dorper ewes aged 12-13 months, averaging 36.7kg returned $225/head and will travel interstate to Victoria.
Unjoined ewe categories accounted for 23% of the offering this week. NSM Merino ewe numbers rose by 86% from last week, to total 18,418 head. Increased supplies for the category failed to dampen prices, averaging $199/head - up $17 from last week, while clearance rates reached 68%. A large run consisting of 990 head of Poll Merino NSM ewes from Bollon, Queensland returned $178/head, with the 6-year-old ewes weighing 61kg.
NOTE: Prices as at 5pm, Thursday 24th February 2022
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