Originally published Wednesday 9th November 2022, updated Friday 11th November 2022
AuctionsPlus sheep and lamb numbers across this week’s commercial sales totalled 84,455 head - an increase of 32% from last week. Reduced clearance rates stretched across most categories, as the logistical issues associated with widespread flooding in key sheep and lamb regions continued to restrict the movement of stock, impacting both sides of the market. Time proved a key factor behind this week’s clearance rates with the 48hrs following the conclusion of Tuesdays sales helping buyers establish transport logistics and negotiate prices.
The National Lamb Sale had a total offering of 45,321 head, which was spread across 132 lots. Following the immediate closure of the auction, clearance rates for the sale reached 43%. With post-sale negotiations seeing clearance rates rise to 65% late Thursday.
Crossbred lamb consisted of 27,383 head this week - a 24% rise on last week. Prices for the category averaged $135/head, back $5 on last week, with clearance rates reaching 60% late Thursday – up from 45% at the immediate closure of sales but still significantly back from the 93% achieved last week. A line of Poll Dorset/Poll Merino mixed sex suckers weighing 40kg lwt from Culcairn, NSW, returned the top price for the category with $152/head.
Merino wether lamb numbers increased by 50% on last week, with 9,422 head offered. Clearance for the category was also subdued, falling from last week’s 83%, to reach 52% late Thursday – up from Tuesday’s 33%. Prices for the category averaged $116/head - $9 cheaper from last week. From Balaklava, SA, a line of Poll Merino wether lambs weighing 47.6kg lwt returned $161/head.
First cross ewe lambs registered a sharp 147% rise on last week’s numbers, with 6,674 head offered. Clearance rates followed the trend across other categories, with post sale negotiations lifting a subdued 34% at the immediate close of sales to 51% late Thursday. Prices for the category ranged between $170-$298/head, to average $213/head - back $13 on last week. From Trundle, NSW, two even lines totalling 260 head of Border Leicester/Merino ewe lambs weighing 51.8kg lwt returned $251/head.
Composite/other breed lambs registered the largest weekly rise in listings across lamb categories, up 222%, with 2,920 head offered. Clearance rates record the biggest rise following the conclusion of the sale with post sale negotiations reaching 80% late Thursday – up from 24%. From Ararat, Victoria, a line of 700 Composite mixed sex lambs weighing 39.1kg lwt returned $148/head.
The National Sheep Sale offered a total of 34,096 head across 227 lots. Joined ewe numbers remained sparse this week, accounting for just 2% of the total offering. Station Mated shedding breed ewes were the largest category for the week, with an offering of 985 head. Prices averaged $316/head, rising $61 on last week, with clearance reaching 85%. From Penola, SA, two even lines totalling 240 head of Australian White/White Dorper station mated ewe lambs weighing 48.5kg lwt returned $412/head.
Unjoined ewes accounted for 34% of total sheep and lamb numbers this week. NSM Merino ewe hoggets had the largest offering with 12,671 head, an increase of 65% on last week. Prices for the category averaged $237/head, back $10 on last week, while clearance rates fell victim to supply outweighing demand reaching a subdued 35% late Thursday up from 28% at the immediate close of sales. From Trundle, NSW, a line of 17-18-month-old Merino hoggets weighing 61.7kg lwt returned $250/head and will travel to Hebel, Queensland.
NSM Merino ewe numbers rose by 70% on last week to total 6,292 head. Clearance rates reached 52% late Thursday up from 38% at the immediate closure of sales, while prices for the category averaged $180/head - back $17 on last week. A line of 216 Merino ewes from Wanganella, NSW, aged 2.5-3.5 years weighing 74.6kg lwt returned $256/head and will travel to a buyer in Naracoorte, SA.
Unjoined first cross ewe numbers retracted 33% from last week, to total 4,397 head. Prices for the category kicked $24 higher to averaged $267/head, as post sale negotiations saw clearance rates reach 68% - up from Tuesday’s 56%. From Cowra, NSW, a line of 159 Border Leicester/Merino NSM ewes, aged one-to-two-years old, weighing 68kg lwt, returned $350/head to a buyer in Victoria.
Note: Prices as at 5pm, Thursday 10th November 2022