Weekly Sheep & Lamb Comments - Week ending Friday 3rd February 2023

Originally published Wednesday 1st February 2023 and updated Friday 3rd February 2023

There was a decline in AuctionsPlus commercial sheep and lamb listings this week, with the 87,156 offered across Tuesday and Thursday commercial sales down 30% on last week - with the biggest drop in numbers coming from the lamb categories. The National Lamb sale had a total of 41,928 head offered across 134 lots. The smaller offering had five of the six lamb categories sell to an improved average, while Merino wether lambs contracted.

Crossbred lambs had a total of 18,468 head offered, which sold to strong demand reaching an 85% clearance rate by late Thursday, up from 64% for the same period last week. Prices for the category ranged between $77-$140/head to average $111/head – up $1 from last week. From Walcha, NSW, a line of 720 White Suffolk/Merino mixed sex store lambs weighing 31kg lwt, returned $92/head - headed to a buyer in Queensland.

One of the few lamb categories to experience a rise in listings was Merino wether lambs, which rose 17% on last week, to total 14,582 head. The increased offering impacted clearance rates, reaching 46% late Thursday up from 38% at the immediate closure of sale - as selective buying was common throughout the category. Prices eased $14 on last week, at $82/head, selling to a top of $118. From Bordertown, SA, a line of 480 woolgrower wether lambs weighing 46kg lwt returned $118/head. Merino ewe lambs also experienced increased listings, up 55% on last week to total 920 head.

First cross ewe lambs had a total of 6,825 head offered, which sold to a subdued 18% clearance. Prices for the category were broad, highlighting the impact of selective buying as producers look to secure certain genetics and types, ranging from $130-$230/head to average $179/head – rising $25 on last week. A line of 165 Border Leicester/Merino ewe lambs from Wychitella, Victoria, weighing 54kg lwt, topped the category at $230/head.

Composite/other breed lambs sold to a 76% clearance across the 5,372 head offered. Prices lifted by $20 from last week to average $116/head. From Glenburn, Victoria, two lines of 450 Composite mixed sex store lambs weighing 42kg lwt, returned $124/head.

Sheep numbers remained steady on last week, with 42,472 head split across two sales on Tuesday. Non-Station mated ewes continue to dominate sheep numbers, accounting for 54% of the sheep offering, while joined ewe numbers rose 22% on last week, to total 13,036 head. Joined ewes saw a lift on prices this week, while the non-station mated offering experienced a dip and clearance remained patchy.

SIL Merino ewes were the largest joined ewe category for the second week in a row, with 4,975 head selling to a 56% clearance late Thursday - up from 39% at the immediate close of sale. Prices for the category eased $55 on last week, to average $171/head. A line of 345 Merino ewes from Deniliquin, NSW, aged 5.5 years joined to White Suffolk rams and weighing 72kg lwt returned $199/head.

SM Shedding breed ewes rose $42 on last week, with the 1,827 head selling to a 77% clearance up from 56% at the immediate close of sale. Prices averaged $300/head. From Gilgandra, NSW, a line of 173 1.5-3.5-year-old Australian White ewes station mated to Australian white rams and weighing 65kg lwt, returned $241/head.

NSM Merino ewe hoggets had a total of 9,265 head offered across the category, which sold to a subdued 22% clearance up from 16% at the immediate close of sales. Prices for the category eased back $26 from last week, to average $138/head. From Smoky Bay, SA, a line of 104 Poll Merino ewes aged 17-18 months, weighing 59kg lwt returned $165/head.

NSM Merino ewes averaged $100/head this week - back $32. The 6,543 head offered sold to a 63% clearance late Thursday up from 52% at the immediate close of sale. A line of 340 seven-year-old Merino ewes from Thallon, Queensland, weighing 61kg lwt returned $65.

Shedding breed ewes registered a $6 price contraction on last week, to average $196/head across the 1,915 head offered - selling to a 43% clearance up from 27% at the immediate close of sales. From Lockwood South, Victoria, a line of 50 Witipoll ewes lambs Jul/Aug 22’ drop, weighing 46kg lwt returned $300 to a buyer in SA.

Composite/other breed ewes saw the only price increase for the week across the unjoined categories rising $64 to average $180/head. The smaller offering on last week saw the 1,956 head sell to strong competition reaching an 83% clearance late Thursday. From Old Junee, NSW a line of 146 Meatplus ewes aged 2.5-years-old weighing 72kg lwt returned $170/head.

Note: Prices as at 5pm Thursday, 2nd February 2023