Weekly Sheep & Lamb Comments - Week ending Friday 20th May 2022

Originally posted Wednesday 18th May 2022, Updated Friday 20th May 2022

A total of 45,316 head of sheep and lambs were offered across AuctionsPlus commercial sheep and lamb sales this week – a 21% decline in listings from last week. The onset of milder weather coupled with rain and flood events across key sheep and lamb regions in NSW and Queensland has maintained the reduced online offerings. Despite the smaller offering demand remained unchanged, as clearance rates at the immediate close for both auctions averaged 57%, while post sale negotiations had the final figure rise to 76%, as vendors largely lowered reserves to meet the market.

Lamb offerings accounted for 44% of total listings this week, with 19,918 head offered. While the 13% decline in listings saw clearance rates remain robust, prices across all five key lamb categories offered this week declined - ranging from $11-$101/head lower on last week’s averages.

Crossbred lambs had the largest offering across the categories this week, with 12,097 head - accounting for 27% of the catalogue. Prices eased $30 from last week, to average $156/head, while clearance rates rose 16% on last week, to reach 88%. A highlight for the category included a line of 700 mixed sex White Suffolk/Poll Merino lambs weighing 41kg lwt from Bornholm, WA – which returned $143/head and will travel interstate to Loxton, SA.

Merino wether lambs recorded an average of $122/head - slipping back $28 on last week, as clearance rates reached 78% across the 4,657 head offered. Merino ewe lambs had the smallest price slip across the lamb categories - back $11 on last week to average $208/head. Of note was a slim offering for the category, with the 712 head selling to a 40% clearance.

Sheep listings accounted for the majority of the catalogue this week, with mixed results and no clear trend across the board. Joined ewes had a total of 17,664 head offered, which made up 39% of the weekly offering. The three largest categories, SIL Merino ewes, SIL first cross ewes and SIL composite/other breed ewes all averaged higher on last week.

SIL Merino ewes held firm on last week, with a total of 5,102 head listed this week. The category recorded a very strong 90% clearance rate - up from 56% following the immediate closure of the Tuesday sheep sale. Prices rose on last week by $8, to average $234/head. A highlight for the category consisted of two lines totaling 680 head of 3-6-year-old ewes from Parkes, NSW, which weighed 59kg lwt and returned $285/head. Topping the category and selling for $100 over the reserve price was a line of 130 SIL 1.6-2.8-year-old Merino ewes from Durham, Victoria, which averaged 66kg lwt and returned $336/head to a buyer in Canowindra, NSW.

Following a $51 contraction last week, SIL first cross ewes took back their losses this week, rising $54 to average $303/head. The offering increased by over 2,000 head this week, to total 5,277 head – 12% of the total weekly offering. Increased throughput was well received from a buying end, as clearance rates rose by 35% to reach 68%.

SIL composite/other breed ewes had a total offering of 3,775 head this week, which reached a 100% clearance. Prices rose $11 to take back last week’s contraction, averaging $276/head.

Merino wethers eased considerably on last week - back $28 to average $114/head. The offering of 2,355 head was met with steady demand, as quality offerings prevailed in the purchases, with clearance rates reaching 45%.

Unjoined ewe numbers were again limited this week, particularly across Merino ewes and hoggets - both recording listings under 1,000 head for each category. Unjoined first cross ewes had the largest offering for the week, with 1,212 head offered. Prices for the category held firm on last week at $228/head, with clearance rates reaching 55%. From Nyngan, NSW a line of 101 Border Leicester/Merino ewes weighing 67kg lwt returned $233/head.

Unjoined shedding breed ewes had a total of 1,210 head listed for the week, with prices averaging $27 stronger on last week, at $266/head - with the category returning a clearance of 73%.

NOTE: Prices as at 5pm, Thursday 19th May 2022