Originally published Wednesday 21st September 2022, updated Friday 23rd September 2022.
On the back of a reduced offering last week, AuctionsPlus commercial sheep and lamb listings for the week surged 87%, to 79,625 head – the highest weekly total since late March.A surge in new season lamb listings drove the increased offering, with lambs accounting for 62% of the market. The increased offering matched positive buyer sentiment, with most of the lamb and breeding categories seeing price increases, while post sale negotiations in the days following auction end lifted clearance rates.
Crossbred lambs again recorded the largest offering for the week, as new season lambs hit the market. Listings were up 80% on last week, with the 18,072 head averaging $135/head - back $9 and selling to strong demand reaching a 89% clearance rate late Thursday. From Jugiong, NSW, three lines of 320 Dorset/Poll Merino mixed sex lambs, weighing 27kg lwt, returned $145/head.
Merino wether lambs registered a spike in numbers this week, with the 15,245 head offered up 63% on last week. The increased offering saw prices ease on last week, selling from $78-$140, averaging $117/head - back $5. Post-sale negotiations saw clearances rates reach 65% late Thursday up from 50% at the immediate close of sale. From Thallon, Queensland, a line of 1,200 store wether lambs, weighing 44kg lwt returned $111, to a buyer in NSW.
First cross ewe lambs saw 11,922 head offered, more than doubling last week’s listings. The increased offering was met with selective buying, as the category averaged $191/head – easing $17. Two lines of 610 Border Leicester/Poll Merino ewe lambs from Keith, SA, weighing 24kg lwt, returned $159/head to a buyer in Victoria.
Composite/other breed lambs were met with strong buyer demand, with the 1,122 head achieving a 100% clearance rate and selling from $84-$145 - averaging $125/head. From Murray Bridge, SA, a line of 580 Primeline wether lambs weighing 33kg lwt, returned $145/head.
Joined listings remain scarce, with numbers back 19% on last week, at only 2,841 head. SIL Merino ewes registered the largest offering at 994 head, which sold to a 57% clearance rate. Prices for the category averaged $174/head – back $8. From Forbes, NSW, a line of 160 three-to-five-year-old ewes weighing 58kg lwt, SIL to Poll Dorset rams returned $220/head. SIL Shedding breed ewes felt the impact of selective buying, with the 912 head achieving a 38% clearance rate, with prices averaging $344/head – up $66.
Unjoined ewe listings accounted for 31% of the weekly offering, at 24,927 head. The offering sold to mixed demand, with four out of the five categories seeing prices rise on last week, while clearance rates were mixed. Merino ewe hoggets again registered the largest offering for the unjoined categories, with the 11,035 head reaching a 74% clearance late Thursday up from 64% at the immediate close of sale. Prices ranged from $165-$320, to average $241/head – up $34.
Merino ewe listings registered a 29% rise on last week, at 3,293 head. Selling from $67-$170, averaging $153/head, the category achieved a 43% clearance rate.
First cross ewes saw 6,979 head offered, up 54% on last week. Impacted by selective buying, the offering averaged $261/head – steady on last week, achieving a 26% clearance rate late Thursday. From Wagga Wagga, NSW, a line of 255 Border Leicester/Merino 14-15-month-old ewes, weighing 60kg lwt, returned $328/head to a buyer in Victoria.
Note: Prices as at 5pm, Thursday 22nd September 2022