Originally published 11th of May 2022, Updated 13th of May 2022
AuctionsPlus commercial sheep and lamb numbers remained limited this week, with a total offering of 57,624 head – up 4% from last week. While mixed results were achieved across the respective categories this week, confidence and demand within lamb and joined ewe categories lifted week-on-week, largely driven by rainfall and ability for lambs to be finished on feed. Clearance rates overall held firm to reach 58% at the immediate closure of the sheep and lamb sales on Tuesday, with post sale negotiations seeing overall clearance rise to 79% - the highest for several weeks.
The National Lamb Sale had a total of 28,259 head offered across 108 lots this week - a 45% increase from last week. Central West NSW had the largest offering for the week, at 6,586 head, while the NSW Riverina was the largest purchasing region - securing 5,589 head. It was a positive week overall for lamb categories, with prices for five of the six categories holding firm or rising on last week.
Crossbred lamb numbers increased significantly on last week with the category accounting for 24% of total weekly listings with 13,684 head. The larger offering was well absorbed in the market, met with a robust buying front this week, as the category achieved an 83% clearance to average $160/head - rising $10 from last week. A highlight included a large run of 1,000 mixed sex White Suffolk/Merino lambs offered across two lots from Manilla, NSW, which averaged 43kg lwt and returned $175/head.
Merino wether lambs had a total of 8,077 head offered, which were initially met with selective buying, as clearance rates reached 49% following the immediate closure of the Tuesday lamb sale. In the days following the auction post sale negotiations saw clearance rates rise to 87%, as the category averaged the same as last week at $121/head. From St George, Queensland, a line of 1,000 store wether lambs weighing 40kg lwt returned $132/head and will travel to a buyer in the NSW Riverina.
First cross ewe lambs registered the largest price rise across the lamb categories for the second consecutive week - up a further $36/head, to average $238/head. The reduced offering of 2,418 head was met with robust demand to reach a clearance of 72%, albeit with buyers continuing to set precedence for lines with quality, weight, and frame.
Joined ewe listings accounted for a large proportion of the offering this week, with 18,950 head -33% of the weekly total. Mixed results were achieved across all categories with no clear trend. However post sale negotiations saw significant rises in clearance rates across several categories.
SIL Merino ewes had a total of 5,774 head offered which averaged $225/head - back $3 from last week, as prices ranged from $143-$282/head. Clearance rates improved on last week, assisted by the significant contraction in numbers. Clearance rose from 42% following the end of the National Sheep Sale to 81% in the following 48 hours. SIL first cross ewes also recorded a reduced offering and lower averages this week, as the category dealt with reduced demand, with clearance rates hitting only 34%. Prices averaged $250/head, back $51 on last week across the 2,262 head offered.
SIL composite/other breed ewes had a large offering this week, with 5,507 head listed - accounting for 10% of the total weekly throughput. Prices for the category eased back $19 from last week to average $265/head, with the category returning a strong clearance of 87%. From Hamilton, Victoria, a highlight included two lines of Poll Dorset SIL ewes aged 2-6 years weighing 79kg lwt, which sold $80 above their reserve price at $330/head to a buyer from Wagga Wagga, NSW.
Unjoined ewe listings were very thin this week, with a total offering of 7,930 head. Despite a reduction in numbers, clearance rates across the board remained low, albeit increasing in the days following the Tuesday sheep sale. NSM Merino ewes had an offering of 3,068 head this week, which averaged $36 higher than last week, at $157/head, with the category reaching a 49% clearance. NSM Merino ewe hoggets followed a similar path, rising $6 on last week, to average $184/head across the 1,830 head offered.
NOTE: Prices as at 5pm, Thursday 12th May 2022
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