Originally published Wednesday 23rd November 2022, updated Friday 25th November 2022
Following the surge in offerings last week, AuctionsPlus sheep and lamb listings registered another busy week, with 143,345 head offered across weekly commercial sales.While listings contracted 5% on last week, the second consecutive week of large throughput again tested the sheep and lamb market. Post-sale negotiations helped lift Tuesdays subdued clearance rates, seeing the overall clearance lift 20% to sit at 54% late Thursday. Prices across all lamb categories eased on last week as sellers look to meet buyer expectations post sale.
Listings were led by Southwest Victoria this week, with the region offering 33,584 head. Central West NSW and Lower Southeast SA also had sizeable offerings, with 18,755 and 13,966 head listed, respectively. Central West NSW was the largest purchasing region, securing 16,625 head, with the NSW Hunter and Lower Great Southern WA regions both registering 100% clearance across their respective offerings.
The National Lamb Sale had a total of 94,059 head listed across 230 lots – accounting for 68% of the weekly offering. Prices across all lamb categories continued to ease on last week, with post-sale negotiations helping to lift the majority of clearance rates up on last week.
Crossbred lamb numbers registered an 8% decline in listings from last week, with 51,878 head offered. Prices ranged between $70-$158/head, to average $127/head - back $3 on last week. Clearance rates for the category reached 53% late Thursday – up from 29% following the immediate closure of the sale. From Tottenham, NSW, two lines of Poll Dorset/Merino mixed sex lambs totaling 920 head, weighing 41.6 kg lwt returned $153/head.
The Merino wether lamb category had a total of 16,658 head listed in the sale, with the offering selling to a subdued clearance of 27%. Impacted by selective buying prices averaged $94/head – back $19. A large listing from WA which included a total of 1,440 head of five-month-old wethers weighing 32.6kg lwt returned $80/head.
Merino ewe lamb numbers rose by 57% to total 4,585 head. The increased offering failed to dampen demand, registering the highest clearance across lamb categories at 87%. Selling from $107 to $153, averaging $120, the category also experienced the largest price drop for the week back $69. From Kingston, Southeast SA, a line of 500 Merino ewe lambs weighing 33kg lwt returned $131/head.
Composite/other breed lambs registered the largest increase in numbers – up 345% from last week, with 11,695 head listed. Post-sale negotiations boosted Tuesday’s clearance rate of 67% to 81%, with the category seeing prices slip $19 on last week to average $118/head. From Poolaijelo, Victoria, a line of 540 Composite wether suckers weighing 37kg lwt returned $126/head and will travel to Penola, SA.
Split across two National Sheep Sales was an offering of 45,707 head – accounting for 32% of the weekly offering. Joined ewe numbers continued to be thin, with 5,418 head offered. Unjoined ewe numbers rose 27% on last week, with a total of 38,312 head. The small offering of joined ewes experienced positive market trends, with prices up on last week and four of the six categories reaching 100% clearance.
SM shedding breed ewes were the largest of the joined ewe categories, with 2,919 head offered - a 64% reduction on last week. Clearance rates reached 65% late Thursday – up from 39% at the immediate closure of sales, with prices rising $53 higher on last week to average $292/head. From Barellan, NSW a highlight included a line of Australian White ewes aged 14-15-months weighing 70kg lwt which returned $399/head.
NSM Merino ewe hoggets had a total of 12,967 head listed – rising 4% on last week. Clearance rates reached 55% rising from a subdued 19%, as buyers sought out quality lines ready for joining. Prices for the category averaged $215/head - up $22 on last week. From Wilcannia in Western NSW, a line of 630 Merino hoggets aged 13-14 months, weighing 56.6kg lwt returned $230/head.
NSM Merino ewe numbers rose 3% on last week, to total 11,557 head. The category registered a clearance of 74% up from 44% at the immediate closure of sales. Prices held firm on last week, averaging $172/head - rising $1 on last week. From Young, NSW, two lines of two-year-old Merino NSM ewes weighing 52.2kg lwt returned $242/head - headed to a buyer in Forbes, NSW
Selling to an 81% clearance, a total of 2,032 head of Shedding breed ewes averaged $246/head. From Enngonia, Western NSW, two lines of SIL White Dorper ewes aged 1.2-1.5 years and 2.2-2.5 years, returned $399 and $388/head, respectively, and will travel south to Wodonga, Victoria.
Note: Prices as at 5pm, Thursday 24th November 2022
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