Originally published Wednesday 11 Jan 2023.
Following a very quiet start to 2023 last week, AuctionsPlus sheep and lamb listings lifted considerably this week, with 95,008 head offered across the week. Compared to the same week in 2022 the offering was 13% higher – influenced by delayed lamb sales from the widespread flooding and drawn-out finish to spring, which impaired growth rates through late 2022. Large volumes of new season lambs are expected to flow into the market across the remainder of the summer.
Following a similar trend to the final weeks of 2022, both sheep and lamb prices slipped back, as the restocking pace slows, and demand remains soft. Post-sale negotiations in the days following the closure of auctions will remain a key factor in securing a sale in coming weeks, as vendors and buyers find even ground to lock in a sale.
A total of 71,839 head of lambs were offered across the week which sold to subdued demand at auction however post-sale negotiations lifted clearance rates substantially across all categories.
Crossbred lambs dominated the lamb offering this week, with a total of 41,521 head listed online - which sold to a 58% clearance- up from 30% following the immediate closure of Tuesdays’ auction. Prices for the category ranged between $53 - $152/head, to average $123/head - back $8 from last week. A highlight for the category included two lines totaling 440 head of Poll Dorset/Border Leicester/Merino mixed sex lambs from Crookwell, NSW. The lambs weighed an average of 42kg lwt and returned $145/head to a buyer in Cowra, NSW.
Merino wether lambs registered a clearance of 67% across the 10,118 head offered, which sold to an average of $73/head. Post- sale negotiations saw clearance rates rise from 38% following Tuesday’s sale. A line of 400 Merino wether suckers from Dergholm, Victoria weighing 35kg lwt returned $96/head and will travel to a buyer in Benalla, NSW.
First cross ewe lambs sold to a 67% clearance, with prices ranging between $103 - $230/head, to average $168/head across the 5,873 head offered. From Barham, NSW, a line of 272 Border Leicester/Merino ewe lambs weighing 56kg lwt returned $230/head and will travel to a buyer in Kyeamba, NSW.
Shedding breed lambs registered a small offering of 935 head this week, which averaged $135/head and sold to a 100% clearance. From Coonamble, NSW, a line of 42 Australian White future breeder ewe lambs weighing 43kg lwt returned $230/head and will travel to a buyer in Dubbo, NSW.
Composite/other breed lambs averaged $104/head this week – back $10 from last week, with the 5,306 head selling to a 61% clearance. From Dunkeld, Victoria, a line consisting of 376 composite mixed sex store lambs weighing 37kg lwt topped the category at $131/head.
A total of 23,169 head of sheep were offered across the week. Unjoined ewes accounted for most of the offering, with 21,320 head listed. Price and buyer trends followed a similar pattern to the lamb market, with clearance rates remaining subdued despite post sale negotiations accounting for a significant proportion of sales.
SIL Shedding breed ewes sold to an 82% clearance across the 560 head offered, with prices averaging $219/head. SM Shedding breed ewes had a total of 586 head offered which averaged $118/head and reached a clearance of 93%. From Shepperton, Victoria, a line of 68 White Dorper SIL ewes aged 1-7 years weighing 65kg lwt returned $146/head and will travel interstate to Condobolin, NSW.
NSM Merino ewe hoggets averaged $159/head – back $61 from last week, as the category reached a 53% clearance across the 3,901 head offered- up from 33% following the immediate closure of Tuesdays’ sale. From Dunedoo, NSW, a line of 270 18-19-month-old hoggets weighing 57kg lwt returned $303/head and will travel to Narromine, NSW.
NSM Merino ewes had a total offering of 7,154 head. Prices for the category ranged between $80 -$200/head, to average $127/head – with the clearance rates reaching 69%. From Port Lincoln, SA, a line of 290 three-year-old ewes weighing 59kg lwt returned $119/head and will travel to Crystal Brook, SA.
Composite/Other breed ewes were the largest category in the sheep sale, with 7,680 head offered. Prices increased by $5 on last week, to average $150/head, while clearance rates remained subdued at 39%. From Port Fairy, Victoria, two even lines totaling 336 head of Composite ewes weighing 70kg lwt returned $160/head.
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