The AuctionsPlus commercial sheep and lamb markets gradual grind higher of offerings came to a halt this week, with total listings dropping by 6% to 73,089 head. The value over reserve increased marginally to $7, and despite the smaller offering the clearance rate declined to 61%. The market was mixed this week, with price fluctuations experienced throughout.
Despite the smaller offering of lambs and the stronger market last week, prices and demand were subdued, especially for Merino lambs which experienced stronger trends last week. Lambs comprised of 54,473 head, falling 8%. NSM ewe numbers also reduced from last week at 16,350 head, while joined ewes jumped up to over a 1,000 head, with all lots finding a buyer.
New season lambs edged slightly higher with the 56,114 head resulting in a 61% clearance rate and a marginally stronger average at $57/head. Processors and feedlot buyers remained active, securing just over 1,100 head (2.48% of the sold offering).
Table 1: AuctionsPlus National Weekly Sheep and Lamb Prices
Report: Interactive Market Dashboard
Crossbred lambs registered a 5% smaller offering of 33,544 head. But confidence has returned somewhat on last week’s prices, increasing $5 week on week to $63/head while clearance was marginally higher at 58%. From Bigga, NSW a line of 550 June 23' drop Poll Dorset/Border Leicester/Merino mixed sex lambs weighing 35kg lwt returned $74/head, or 214c/kg and will travel to a buyer in Boweya, VIC.
Composite lambs registered a smaller offering with 4,465 head, down 4% but prices rose $10 on last week to average $61/head with a healthy 86% clearance. The top priced offering was $71.50/head for a line of 290 Jun/Jul 23' drop Composite wethers weighing 38kg lwt that will travel from Orange to Dubbo, NSW. Of significant note was three separate lots from a single vendor of August drop Composite wether lambs totalling 2,200 head from Chatsworth, VIC selling to a single agent based in Murray Bridge, SA. Two 700-head lots of 37kg lwt lambs sold for $62/head, while an 800-head lot of 32kg lwt lambs sold for $47/head.
Merino ewes on offer jumped again this week, registering an 18% larger offering of 5,219 head. It didn't hurt demand with prices increasing $14 on last week to average $90/head and a 63% clearance. One vendor in Mount Benson, VIC had an exceptional week selling 2,110 head across six separate lots of 26-27 month old Merino ewes weighing 59/60kg for an average of over $106/head.
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Note: Prices as at 5pm Thursday, 16th November 2023
Table 1: AuctionsPlus National Weekly Sheep and Lamb Prices
AuctionsPlus Interactive Sheep Market Report