Originally published Wednesday 15th February 2023 and updated Friday 17th February 2023.
AuctionsPlus commercial sheep and lamb listings eased on last week, with 80,083 head offered across the week – back 8% on last week, and down 26% on the corresponding week in 2022. In a change from recent weeks, the sales were dominated by sheep, with the lamb offering experiencing a sharp decline on last week seeing a total of 33,884 head offered. The reduced lamb offering lifted prices across all categories while sheep saw mixed prices and clearance as selective buying was a key trait of this week’s sales.
Crossbred lambs registered a 14% decline in listings this week, with a total of 15,496 head. The category reached an 83% clearance late Thursday, up from 69% at the immediate conclusion of the auction. Prices for the category continue to be impacted by weight and quality, ranging between $62-$151/head, to average $117/head – up $3 from last week. From Lalbert, Victoria a line of 426 Composite/Merino Jun/Jul 22’ mixed sex trade lambs weighing 45kg lwt, returned the top price for the category at $151/head.
Merino wether lambs experienced a sharp contraction on last week’s numbers, at 5,661 head – back 43%. The decreased offering boosted the clearance rate for the category, reaching 56% by late Thursday. Prices were flat on last week, to average $89/head, selling to a top of $138. From Thallon, QLD two lines of 420 Poll Merino Aug/Sep 22’ drop store wether lambs weighing 33kg lwt returned $81/head.
Following three weeks of low offerings, Merino ewe lambs experienced a spike in listings with 1,947 head, almost quadrupling last week’s offering. The increased offering failed to dampen prices, lifting $50 on last week to average $126/head. From Lalbert, Victoria two lines of 245 Jun/Jul 22’ drop future breeder merino ewe lambs weighing 35kg lwt, returned $136 and $135/head.
First cross ewe lambs totaled 6,615 head – easing 43% on last week. A subdued clearance rate reaching 17% late Thursday highlights the continued impact of selective buying as producers look to secure certain genetics and types, while prices rose $52 on last week to average $192/head. From Armatree, NSW a line of 255 Border Leicester/Merino Jun/Jul 22’ ewe lambs weighing 54kg lwt returned $210/head.
Composite/other breed lambs registered a 3,070 head offering - back 56% on last week. Clearance reached 68% late Thursday, up from 43% at the immediate closure of the sale. Prices for the category were broad ranging from $95 to $140 to average $125/head – up $5 on last week. From Tahara, Victoria a line of 700 Jul/Aug 22’ Composite store wether lambs weighing 41kg lwt returned $140/head to a buyer in South Australia.
Sheep numbers rose 14% on last week, with 46,132 head on offer. The biggest increase across sheep categories came from joined ewes lifting 64% on last week to total 19,001 head. The increased offering resulted in mixed clearance rates across all categories as buyer’s decisions were impacted by genetics and quality, while prices rose for the majority of categories.
SIL Merino ewes experienced a large spike on last week, rising 127% with 8,708 head listed. The increased offering resulted in a subdued clearance at the immediate close of sale at 28% - but rebounded to 54% by late Thursday. Prices for the category eased $37 on last week, to average $165/head. From Peake, South Australia a line of 405 Poll Merino ewes rising six years of age, weighing 74kg lwt and SIL to White Suffolk rams returned $185/head.
SIL first cross ewes continue to sell to solid demand, with the 2,070 head reaching a 67% clearance at the immediate close of sale. Prices were broad ranging, from $101-$254, to average $187/head – easing $31. The broad range in prices highlights the same story as first cross ewe lambs, with producers looking for certain genetics and types. From Dubbo, NSW a line of 296 Border Leicester/Merino ewes aged three-five-years old, weighing 66kg lwt and SIL to Poll Dorset and Dorset Horn rams returned $174/head.
SIL Shedding breed ewes more than tripled on last week’s offering with 2,301 head listed. Clearance reached 66% late Thursday, up from 43% at the immediate close of sale, while prices rose $47 on last week to average $203/head. From Longford, Victoria a line of 248 White Dorper ewes aged 2.5 years-old, weighing 65kg lwt and SIL to Australian White rams returned $272/head and are headed north to a buyer in NSW.
NSM Merino ewe hoggets had a total of 5,400 head offered across the category, easing 27% on last week. Prices ranged from $90-$204, to average $161/head – increasing $11 on last week while clearance reached 45% by late Thursday. A line of 145 Poll Merino ewes aged 16-17-months, weighing 51kg lwt from Knowsley, Victoria returned $160/head. NSM Merino ewes averaged $91/head this week – easing $50. The 8,342 head offered sold to a 47% clearance. From Tara, Queensland a line of 203 Merino ewes aged three-four years, weighing 57kg lwt returned $90/head.
Shedding breed ewes registered a $77 price increase this week, to average $289/head across the 2,608 head offered - selling to a 53% clearance rate, up from 51% last week. A line of 53 Australia White Jul/Aug 22’ drop ewe lambs from Millicent, South Australia, weighing 38kg lwt the line sold for $310/head - $175 over reserve.
The offering of Merino wethers online continues to rise week-on-week with 3,565 head up 52%. Selling to a top of $156, the category averaged $129/head – rising $35 on last week. Clearance rates reached 39% late Thursday. From West Wyalong, NSW a line of 500 1.5-2.5-year-old, Merino wethers weighing 58kg lwt returned $156/head.
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