*Originally published Tuesday 15th March 2022 - Updated Friday 18th February 2022
Sheep and lambs offered through AuctionsPlus commercial sales this week contracted 10% on last week, at 109,382 head. Cautious buying activity through the joined sheep lines contributed to a subdued 57% clearance rate for the week and lower average prices through all categories. Overall market sentiment through the lamb lines continues to be mixed, with post-auction negotiations continuing to encourage the buyers, as vendors lowered initial reserves to lock in sales.
Comprising of 17% of this week’s offering, Merino wether lambs averaged $134, up $7/head on last week. Of the 18,848 head offered, the clearance rate following two days of negotiations jumped to 78%, after finishing at the immediate closure of the sale was 40%. A large line of 1,030 Merino wether lambs from Winton Queensland, returned $150/head. The Apr/May ’21 drop unshorn lambs weighed an average of 47.7kg lwt.
Crossbred lambs also recorded higher prices and a lower clearance rate on last week, at $151/head – up $6, with a final 48% clearance rate for the 9,034 head offered. Merino ewe lambs averaged $153/head, down $5 on last week, despite a comparatively high 83% clearance rate for the 1,983 head offered.
Composite/other breed lambs were the strongest performers in the lamb category for the week. With strong buyer competition for the 5,634 head offered, an 82% clearance rate was registered, with prices averaging $176/head – up $16 on last week. From Coleraine Victoria, a line of 865 Jul’ 21 drop Composite mixed sex store lambs weighing 33kg lwt, returned $147/head. Shedding lambs contracted $105 for the week, averaging $268/head. Following last week’s trend, clearance for the breed was also subdued, sitting at 37% for the 4,758 head immediately after the sale – rising to 67% in the following two days.
Across the proven joined ewe lines, SIL Merino ewes followed a similar demand trend to last week, finishing at a 50% clearance rate for the 15,709 head offered. SIL Merino ewe prices averaged $236/head, $8 lower than last week. SIL first cross ewes saw a softer immediate finish to the sale averaging $255/head – down $34. SIL Shedding breed ewes achieved the strongest clearance rate, highlighting the continued demand for shedding sheep, returning a 94% clearance for the 2,096 head offered, paired with a $417/head average – down $31.
From Tullamore, NSW a line of 195, 19-20-month-old NSM Merino ewes weighing 64kg returned $323/head. The ewes are January shorn with 17.5-micron wool.
NOTE: Prices as at 5pm, Thursday 17rd March 2022
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