Originally published Tuesday 3rd January 2023 and updated Friday 6th January 2023.
The first week of commercial sheep sales in 2023 saw a total of 23,344 head offered on AuctionsPlus across the Tuesday sheep and lamb sales.
Clearance rates were subdued this week, as hot weather and the holiday atmosphere influenced sentiment.
The National Lamb sale had a total of 17,027 head offered across 40 lots, which reached a 65% clearance following the immediate close of the auction.
Crossbred lambs accounted for a majority of listings with 15,546 head offered, which reached a 45% clearance. Prices ranged between $90-$149/head to average $127/head. From Carcoar, NSW, a line of 275 Poll Dorset/Border Leicester/Merino mixed sex lambs weighing 37kg lwt returned $149/head.
Composite/other breed lambs sold between $100-$123/head, to average $114/head. The 440 head offering reached a 100% clearance. From Karabeal, SW Victoria, a line of 275 Primeline store wether lambs returned $123/head. The lambs were aged 6-8 months old and averaged 40kg lwt.
The National Sheep Sale had a total of 6,317 head offered across 34 lots, which reached a 38% clearance following the immediate closure of the auction.
SM First cross ewes averaged $256/head, which sold to a 100% clearance across the 684 head offered. Topping the category was a line of 228 SM Border Leicester/Merino ewes aged 2.5 years which weighed 66kg lwt and returned $257/head.
SIL Merino ewes averaged $160/head across the 652 head offered, which reached a 100% clearance. Two even lines totaling 652 head of six-year-old Merino ewes from Leeton, NSW, weighing 54kg lwt, returned $160/head.
NSM Merino ewe hoggets averaged $220/head across the 933 head offered, with the category reaching a 23% clearance. From Mangoplah, NSW a line of 216 16-17-month-old Merino hoggets weighing 57kg lwt returned $220/head.
NSM Composite/other breed ewes were the largest sheep category, with 1,092 head offered. Prices averaged $135/head – with the category reaching a 22% clearance.