Originally published Wednesday 2nd November 2022, updated Friday 4th November 2022
AuctionsPlus regular commercial sheep and lamb sales for the first week of November saw a subdued listing, with the 64,184 head offered down 35% on last week - highlighting the continued impacts of rainfall events and widespread flooding across eastern Australia.Central West NSW saw the largest offering by region at 11,691 head, followed by the Riverina NSW (7,732 head) and SW Slopes and Plains (6,651 head).
The National Lamb Sale registered a total of 38,976 head, with the smaller offering seeing clearance rates reach 90% - up from last week’s 76%. Four of the six lamb categories averaged higher on last week, while a small offering of Composite/other breeds averaged lower from the previous week.
Crossbred lambs continue to dominate weekly listings, accounting for 34% with 22,081 head. The smaller week on week offering sold to strong demand, reaching a 93% clearance late Thursday, up from last week’s 76% - while prices remained steady averaging $140/head. Selling for $12 over reserve price, two lines of second cross Poll Dorset/Composite mixed sex lambs from Willaura Victoria, weighing 41kg lwt returned $157/head.
Merino wether lambs registered a 6,285 head offering – back 61% on last week. Increased competition for quality lines saw prices improve by $14, to average $125/head, with the category registering an 83% clearance rate up from 67% at the conclusion of auctions. From Gladstone, SA, a line of 340 Poll Merino wether suckers, weighing 30kg lwt, returned $130/head.
Merino ewe lambs rose $3, averaging $151/head across the 2,396 head offering. Demand remains strong for the category reaching a 94% clearance rate up from 79% at the immediate closure of sales. From Crookwell, NSW, two lines of future breeder ewe lambs, weighing 41kg lwt returned $234 and $232/head - $54 and $52 above reserve, respectively.
First cross ewe lamb listings registered 2,698 head – back 52% on last week. The reduced offering saw prices average higher on last week, at $226/head - up $30, while clearance reached 71%. Returning the top price for the category was a line of 125 Border Leicester/Merino ewe lambs from Wellington, NSW, weighing 44kg lwt, which returned $262/head.
Shedding breed lambs sold to strong demand, with the 1,350 head offering reaching a 100% clearance rate - selling from $126-$163, to average $153/head. From Morven, Queensland a line of 530 Dorper store wether lambs, weighing 41kg lwt, returned $163/head to a buyer in NSW.
The National Sheep Sale had a total of 13,599 head listed, with the sale registering a 63% clearance rate late Thursday up from 55% at the immediate end of the sale
Joined ewe numbers continue to account for a small portion of the weekly offering, with just 1,047 head offered. The limited offering made it difficult to determine any price trends across the categories, while demand for shedding and Composite joined ewes was strong, reaching 100% across the three categories on offer.
SIL shedding breed ewes had the largest offering with 485 head, selling to a 100% clearance, with prices ranging from $360-$475/head, to average $451/head. Offered as part of a flock dispersal from Molong, NSW, two lines of 130 Australian White ewes aged 18 to 50 months, weighing 69kg lwt and SIL to Australian White rams returned $475/head.
Unjoined ewe numbers remained strong despite a softer listing week, with the 23,348 head accounting for 37% of total listings. Prices across two of the five reported categories increased on last week, with post sale negotiations helping to lift clearance rates.
NSM Merino ewe hoggets registered the largest unjoined offering for the week, with 7,702 head. The category felt the impact of selective buying, with prices easing $5 on last week to average $248/head, while clearance rates reached 57% up from 46% at the immediate closure of sales. From Swan Hill, Victoria, a line of 340 15-18-month-old ewes, weighing 71kg lwt returned $290/head to a buyer in NSW.
NSM Merino ewe numbers totaled 3,706 head, with prices rising $4 to average $197/head – while clearance rates reached 70% late Thursday up from Tuesday’s 60%. A line of 415, 3.5-year-old ewes from Euchareena, NSW, weighing 53kg lwt, returned $214/head.
Unjoined shedding breed ewes registered the largest listing increase on last week, with the 2,289 head offering up 88%. The increased offering was met with strong demand, seeing the category reach a 99% clearance rate up from 74% at the immediate closure of sales, while prices eased $24 to average $247/head. From Muckadilla, Queensland a line of 480 White Dorper ewes Feb/Mar 22’ drop weighing 43kg lwt returned $200.
Note: Prices as at 5pm, Thursday 3rd November 2022.