Weekly Sheep & Lamb Comments - Week ending Friday 10th February 2023

Originally published Wednesday 8th February 2023 and updated Friday 10th February 2023. 

AuctionsPlus commercial sheep and lamb listings remained steady on last week, with 87,171 head offered across the weekly sales - up 1% on last week, but still down 7% on the corresponding week in 2022.Lambs continue to dominate the offering, with the National Lamb sale offering a total of 45,204 head offered across 146 lots. Prices lifted across the lamb categories, with three of the six lamb categories improving week-on-week, with clearance rates also receiving a boost. 

Crossbred lambs registered a 3% decline in listings this week, with a total of 17,982 head. Demand remains strong for the category reaching an 87% clearance, up from 85% last week. Prices for the category were impacted by weight and quality, ranging between $71-$146/head, to average $115/head – up $4 from last week. From Everton, Victoria, a line of 213 Poll Dorset/Border Leicester cross Merino mixed sex store lambs, Apr/May 22’ drop, weighing 42kg lwt returned $137/head. 

Merino wether lambs experienced a sharp contraction on last week’s numbers, at 9,958 head – back 32%. The decreased offering boosted the clearance rate for the category, reaching 95% late Thursday up from 63% at the immediate conclusion and 46% last week. Prices rose $10 on last week, to average $89/head, selling to a top of $121. From Conargo, NSW, two lines of 425 Jun/Jul 22’ drop store wether lambs, weighing 44kg lwt, returned $107 and $109/head, respectively. Merino ewe lambs continue to remain in short supply, with 397 head offered for the week.

First cross ewe lambs registered a large spike in numbers - up 71% to total 11,641 head. Clearance rates for the category remained subdued, with the large offering registering a 37% clearance late Thursday up from 19% at the immediate close of sale and up from last week’s 18%. Prices for the category were broad, highlighting the continued impact of selective buying, as producers look to secure certain genetics and types, ranging from $95-$234/head, to average $138/head – easing $41 on last week. A large line of 500 Jul/Aug 22’ drop Border Leicester/Merino ewe lambs from Walgett, NSW, weighing 40kg lwt returned $140/head. 

Shedding breed lambs sold to a 90% clearance up from 84% at the immediate close of sale, the highest across the lamb categories, for the 885 head offered. Prices ranged from $75 to $130, to average $104/head – easing $19 on last week. From Roma, Queensland, a line of 150 Dorper Aug/Oct 22’ drop store wether lambs weighing 31kg lwt returned $93/head.

Composite/other breed lambs registered a 6,915 head offering - up 29% on last week. The increased offering failed to dampen demand, with clearance reaching 94% up from 72% at the immediate close of sales and last week’s 76% clearance, while prices averaged $121/head – up $4. From Glenburn, Victoria, a line of 650 Aug/Sep 22’ drop Composite mixed sex store lambs, weighing 42kg lwt returned $125/head.

Sheep numbers eased 5% on last week, with 40,108 head split across two sales. A large offering of older Merino wether lambs hit the market this week, with numbers more than doubling last week’s offering. Non-Station mated ewes continue to dominate sheep numbers, accounting for 58% of the sheep offering, while joined ewe numbers eased 11% on last week, to total 11,580 head. After last week’s improved results, joined ewe categories saw mixed pricing and clearance rates this week, while non-station mated ewes saw prices rise across three of the four categories. 

SIL Merino ewes were the largest joined ewe category for the third consecutive week, with 3,836 head selling to a 55% clearance - up from 48% at the immediate close of sale. Prices for the category rose $20 on last week, to average $195/head. From Mungindi, Queensland, a line of 615 Merino ewes aged 19-20-months, weighing 59kg lwt and SIL to White Suffolk rams returned $222/head.

SIL first cross ewes sold to strong demand, with the 2,102 head offering reaching a 92% clearance. Prices were broad ranging, from $152-$280, to average $219/head – up $10. The broad range in prices highlights the same story as first cross ewe lambs, with producers looking for certain genetics and types. From Avenue Range, SA, two lines of 254 Border Leicester/Merino ewes aged 4.5-years, weighing 77kg lwt and SIL to Poll Dorset rams returned $230/head.

NSM Merino ewe hoggets had a total of 7,425 head offered across the category, with post-sale negotiations lifting clearance rates from 25% at the immediate conclusion of sales to 51% late Thursday – up from 22% last week. Prices for the category rose $26 on last week, to average $155/head. From Cooma, NSW, two lines of 205 15-16-month-old Merino ewes, weighing 54kg lwt returned $244 and $246/head. NSM Merino ewes averaged $148/head this week – lifting $46. The 6,707 head offered sold to a 64% clearance. A line of 220 Poll Merino ewes rising five-years from Serpentine, Victoria, weighing 69kg lwt returned $135/head. 

Shedding breed ewes registered a $24 price increase on last week, to average $212/head across the 2,413 head offered - selling to a 51% clearance up from 39% at the immediate close of sales. From Deniliquin, NSW, a line of 104 Ultrawhite ewes aged 3.5-4.5-years, weighing 55kg lwt, returned $251/head - $111 above reserve and are headed to a buyer in Victoria.

This week’s large offering of Merino wethers, saw listings for the category rise 316%, with 2,348 head offered. Selling to a top of $121, the category averaged $94/head – easing $14 on last week. Post-sale negotiations following the conclusion of the sale helped lift clearance rates to 45% late Thursday up from 25% at the immediate close of sales. From Connewirricoo, Victoria, a line of 370, 21-22-month-old Merino wethers, weighing 56kg lwt returned $121/head.

Note: Prices as at 5pm Thursday, 9th February 2023.