Originally published Wednesday 20th April 2022, Updated Friday 22nd of April 2022.
In the final week of April, a total of 62,565 head of commercial sheep and lambs were offered through AuctionsPlus, a 36% increase week-on-week. Compared to the corresponding week in 2021 numbers were back 37%, however there is some expectation for a “backlog” of lambs to enter the market in the coming weeks, following the reduced trading days through April.
With another short trading week, clearance rates following the immediate close of the commercial sheep and lamb auctions on Tuesday were higher at 54%, rising to 63% by Thursday afternoon, as widespread rainfall helped to entice buyers to pursue post sale negotiations. Top listing regions for the week included Southwest Victoria (13,051 head), Central West NSW (12,890 head) and the NSW Northwest Slopes and Plains (7,218 head).
Lamb listings accounted for 40% of the offering this week, with clearance rates stronger across the board – a result of tightening lamb supply across the month and ongoing demand for heavier weight lambs. Three of the five lamb categories offered this week registered higher price averages, as both first cross and Merino ewe lamb categories eased.
Crossbred lambs averaged $165/head this week - up $11, with the category reaching a clearance of 79% across the 6,555 head offered.
Merino wether lambs were the largest of the lamb categories this week, with 11,035 head listed. Prices rose for the second consecutive week, up $1 to average $133/head, as the category comprising of mostly store wether lambs reached a clearance of 72%. A large run consisting of 1,050 store wether lambs from Mungindi NSW, weighing 39kg lwt, returned $115/head and are headed to Queensland.
Merino ewe lambs registered a significant rise in clearance in the days following the Tuesday lamb sale - reaching 90% for the offering of 4,988 head. Prices eased $16, to average $177/head - taking back some of the previous week’s gains.
Joined ewes accounted for 33% of the offering this week, at 20,399 head. Clearance rates overall remained largely subdued, despite some post sale negotiations, while prices across most categories softened week-on-week.
SIL Merino ewes were the largest category this week, accounting for 15% of the total offering. Prices for the category ranged from $116-$270, to average $204/head - back $10 on last week, with clearance rates reaching 63%. A line of 465 2-3-year-old Merino ewes weighing 67kg lwt from Coonamble NSW, returned $265/head and will travel to Narromine, NSW.
Station mated Merino ewes had a total offering of 3,308 head this week, with the category averaging $134/head - back $1. Clearance rates remained largely subdued for the category, reaching 33%, which was up from 19% following the immediate closure of the sale on Tuesday.
SIL first cross ewes had a total offering of 3,208 head this week, with the category averaging $277/head. Clearance rates reached 57% as buyers remained cautious.
Unjoined ewes accounted for 24% of the total offering this week, with 14,752 head offered. Merino ewes and ewe hoggets registered significant gains week-on-week, however clearance rates across the more populated categories remained subdued as buyers largely pursued lines with quality, frame and bloodline.
NSM Merino ewe hoggets accounted for 6% of the offering, with 3,732 head. Prices rose by $121 on last week, to average $254/head - with clearance rates reaching 58%.
NSM Merino ewes registered a $23 rise week-on-week, with the category averaging $182/head. Clearance rates were boosted in the days following the sale, up from 35% to 54% across the 5,111 head offered.
Unjoined shedding breed ewe listings totaled 2,915 head this week, with the category registering a 76% clearance. Prices softened by $83 as lots sold between $135-$297, to average $203/head. From Cunnamulla Queensland, a line of 483 Dorper ewes weighing 44kg lwt, returned $251/head – finishing $51 above reserve and heading to Longreach, Queensland.
NOTE: Prices as at 5pm, Thursday 28th April 2022
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