Originally published Wednesday 13th July 2022, Updated Friday 15th July 2022
The second week of July had subdued sheep and lamb offerings across AuctionsPlus commercial sheep sales, with only 38,782 head offered - down 29% on last week. Wet conditions continued to disrupt parts of eastern NSW, with cold conditions and lack of sunlight notably affecting finishing weights across lamb categories. Post-sale negotiations saw clearance rates across the majority of categories increase on last week, while demand across joined ewe categories lifted on last week.
Crossbred lamb numbers eased this week, with 3,929 head offered – down 31% on last week. With a 55% clearance rate, prices averaged $139/head – up $4. From Mindarie, SA, a line of 350 White Suffolk/Merino mixed sex suckers, weighing 30kg lwt returned $150/head – selling $40 above reserve.
Merino wether lambs eased on last week, with the 2,978 head offered and averaged $112/head – back $24. The cold and wet conditions amplified the reduced winter lamb offering with numbers back 70% on last week, met with steady demand to reach a clearance of 84%. From Coonamble, NSW, two lines of 535 store wether lambs, weighing 42kg lwt, returned the top price at $130/head.
First cross ewe lamb numbers jumped slightly on last week, with 2,962 head offered – up 23% on last week. Averaging $156/head, prices eased $26 on last week. From Dubbo, NSW, a line of Border Leicester/Merino future breeder ewe lambs weighing 39kg lwt, returned $220/head and topped the category.
The breeding ewe market was again confronted with selective buying, as mixed clearance rates were achieved across the board as buyers sought breeders with quality, frame and bloodline. SIL Merino ewes registered the largest offering for the week, with 8,114 head offered. Post-sale negotiations lifted the clearance rate from 15% at auction close to 37% late Thursday, with prices averaging $185/head – back $17. From Tarago, NSW, a line of 345 rising two-year-old ewes, weighing 51kg lwt and SIL to Poll Merino rams returned $224/head.
SIL first cross ewes listings increased on last week, with 4,038 head offered – up 3%. With a subdued 16% clearance rate at the immediate close of sales, post-sale negotiations resulted in a 35% clearance late Thursday, while the category averaged $240/head – back $6. A line of 90 Border Leicester/Merino four-year-old ewes from St Helen Plains, Victoria, weighing 75kg lwt returned $250/head.
SIL shedding breed ewes saw 1,122 head offered, averaging $348/head – up $117. The continued demand for shedding breed ewes resulted in the category achieving a 76% clearance. Station mated shedding breed ewes averaged $432/head, up $152, with the small offering of 509 head experiencing strong demand – with post-sale negotiations lifting clearance from 91% to 100%. Selling for $86 above reserve, a line of 156 21-23-month-old White Dorper ewes from Tottenham, NSW, weighing 79kg lwt and SIL to White Dorper rams returned the top price at $406/head.