Originally published Wednesday 26th October 2022, updated Friday 28th October 2022
A total of 99,301 head of sheep and lambs were offered across the regular commercial sales this week - an increase of 22% from last week. Listings remain impacted by widespread flooding across the Eastern states, with sheep and lamb numbers for the week back by 41% and 27% from the corresponding week in 2021 and 2020, respectively. Top listing regions this week included the Lower Southeast SA (18,432 head), the NSW Riverina (18,032 head) and the NSW Southwest Slopes and Plains (10,389 head).
The National Lamb Sale had a total of 70,483 head offered, which sold to a 76% clearance rate up from 68% following the immediate closure of the auction. Three of the six lamb categories averaged higher on last week, while smaller offerings of Merino ewe lambs and Composite/other breeds averaged lower from the previous week.
Crossbred lambs accounted for 36% of total listings for the week, with 35,911 head offered. Prices remained steady despite the offering increasing by 30% on last week, ranging from $90-$166/head, to average $139 - up $1. Clearance rates rose following the conclusion of sales reaching 76% late Thursday up from 61% at the immediate closure. From Harden, NSW, a line of Meatplus/Lambpro mixed sex suckers weighing 41.6kg lwt returned $166/head and will travel interstate to Victoria.
Merino wether lamb numbers also rose considerably on last week - up 23%, with 16,147 head offered. Prices improved by $4, to average $111/head, with the category registering a 69% clearance. A line of 675 Merino wethers weighing 43.1kg lwt from Moulamein, NSW, returned the top price of $139/head and will travel to Rochester, Victoria.
Merino ewe lambs averaged $33 lower on last week, to average $148/head across the 4,163 head offered. Demand for the category was strong however, with a 92% clearance rate registered. A highlight included a line of Poll Merino lambs from Karoonda, SA, which weighed 51kg lwt and returned $260/head.
First cross ewe lamb listings increased by 18% on last week, with 5,612 head offered. Prices averaged $18 higher, at $195/head, while post sale negotiations boosted clearance rates from a subdued 47% at auction end to 74% late Thursday. From Naracoorte, SA, a line of Border Leicester/Merino ewe lambs weighing 42.3kg lwt returned $220/head and will travel to a buyer in Southwest Victoria.
The National sheep sale had a total of 27,108 head listed across 156 lots, with the sale registering a 81% clearance rate up from 77% following the immediate closure of the auction.
Joined ewe numbers accounted for a small portion of the weekly offering, with just 2,059 head offered. The limited offering made it difficult to determine any price trends across the categories.
SIL Merino ewes had the largest offering with 970 head, selling to a 100% clearance aided by post-sale negotiations, with prices ranging from $235-$271/head, to average $251/head. From Coonabarabran, NSW, a line of 230 Merino ewes weighing 61.4kg returned $271/head and will travel to Peak Hill, NSW.
Unjoined ewe numbers were up considerably on last week, with the 27,608 head accounting for 28% of total listings. Prices across three of the five reported categories increased on last week, with clearance rates also echoing improved demand.
NSM Merino ewe hogget numbers rose by 25% from last week, with 9,106 head offered. The category registered a $26 rise to average $253/head, with clearance rates also improving to reach 94% up from 84% at the immediate closure of sales. From Knowsley, Victoria, a line of 200 Poll Merino Hoggets aged 17-18 months weighing 55.9kg lwt returned $245/head.
NSM Merino ewe numbers increased by 77%, to total 6,354 head offered. Prices rose by $6 to average $192/head, as clearance rates reached 80% late Thursday up from 68% at the close of sales. From Narrandera, NSW, a line of 305 Poll Merino ewes aged 2.5 years and weighing 72.2kg lwt returned $315/head, headed down the road to Griffith, NSW.
Unjoined first cross ewe numbers registered the largest price improvement on last week - increasing $47 to average $273/head. The offering of 4,825 head, which was up 20% on the previous week, sold to a clearance of 59% with post sale negotiations lifting the clearance from a subdued 39% at auction end.
Note: Prices as at 5pm, Thursday 27th October 2022
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