AuctionsPlus sheep and lamb listings saw the lowest offering since the 9th Jan, 2021 with 32,257 head offered. The smaller offering for the week was reflective of current producer sentiment, with many producers reportedly looking to hang on to stock until the warmer months arrive. Lamb offerings were hit with the impacts of selective buying, while the joined ewe market registered higher prices and mixed clearance rates.
Crossbred lambs were again the largest category for the week, with the 9,232 head accounting for 29% of the total offering. Prices averaged $130/head, up $7 on last week, with the category selling to strong demand and registering an 83% clearance. From Mendooran, NSW a line of Mar ’22 drop White Suffolk/Border Leicester/Merino mixed sex lambs weighing 41kg returned the top price for the category at $161/head.
Merino ewe and wether lambs both eased on last week with post sale negotiations across both categories lifting clearance rates. Merino ewes saw 1,069 head offered, easing $12 on last week to average $146/head with a 61% clearance late Thursday. Merino wether lambs saw the 4,725 head offering ease $2 on last week to average $104/head, post-sale negotiations lifted the clearance rate from 45% at the immediate close of sale to 73% late Thursday. A line of Poll Merino May/Jun ’22 drop wether suckers from Truro, SA, weighing 26kg lwt, returned $90/head.
Joined ewe listings accounted for 20% of the catalogue this week. SIL Merino ewes saw 1,555 head offered, back 66% on last week, achieving an 82% clearance. Prices ranged from $145-$257/head, to average $180 – easing $1 from last week. From Dirranbandi, Queensland a line of rising seven-year-old Merino ewes, SIL to Border Leicester rams, weighing 62kg lwt returned $165/head and are headed south to a buyer in NSW.
SIL first cross ewes registered the largest offering across the joined ewe category this week, with 2,136 head offered. Easing $8 on last week, the category averaged $246/head, with post sale negotiations seeing the clearance rate rise from 65% at the immediate close of sales to 73% late Thursday. Topping the category at $323/head was a line of 21-22-month-old Border Leicester/Merino ewes, SIL to Border Leicester rams weighing 65kg lwt, from Billimari, NSW.
SIL shedding breed ewes registered a small offering this week, totalling 888 head. Strong post-sale negotiations saw the clearance rate reach 100% late Thursday following a 45% clearance at the immediate close of sales. Prices were up $131, to average $451/head. A stronger offering of SM shedding breed ewes saw the 1,079 head achieve a 75% clearance, with the category averaging $201/head - up $56 on last week. From Condobolin, NSW a line of Oct/Nov ’21 drop White Dorper ewe lambs SM to Australian White lambs, weighing 55kg lwt, returned $280/head.
Unjoined ewes accounted for 24% of the offering this week with 7,701 head, as prices rose across two of the four categories, while the clearance rates sat higher than last week.
NSM Merino ewe hoggets saw the strongest price rise for the week across the unjoined categories, with the 1,569 head averaging $281/head - up $68, with a 40% clearance rate. NSM Merino ewes saw 2,096 head offered, with prices remaining steady on last week at $136/head, with a 64% clearance rate. From Lameroo, SA, a line of rising six-year-old Poll Merino ewes, weighing 60kg lwt returned $157/head.
NSM shedding breed ewes saw prices ease on last week, back $41, to average $192/head. Clearance for the category was strong, with the 2,654 head achieving an 82% clearance. From Beverly, WA, two lines of Kojak/White Dorper and Dorper cross Aug ’21 drop future breeder ewe lambs, weighing 41kg lwt, returned $224/head and are destined to head across the Nullarbor to a buyer in NSW.