Weekly Sheep & Lamb Comments - Week ending Friday 7th October 2022

Originally published Wednesday 5th October 2022, updated Friday 7^th October 2022.

AuctionsPlus commercial sheep and lamb listings rose by 22% from last week, with numbers surpassing the 100,000 head mark for the first time this spring, totalling 110,815 head. Widespread rainfall forecast across much of the Eastern States encouraged both buyer and seller activity, as robust buyer sentiment absorbed the rise in listings. Lambs continue to dominate the weekly offering, with new season lambs accounting for 68% of the market. Crossbred and Merino ewe lamb categories registered price rises on last week, while increased buyer sentiment carried across the joined ewe and ewes with lambs categories.

Crossbred lambs had a total of 24,270 head offered – up 26% on last week. The increased offering failed to dampen buyer confidence, as prices averaged $140/head – up $4, reaching an 82% clearance rate late Thursday. From Kanya, Victoria, a line of 280 White Suffolk/Merino mixed sex suckers, weighing 39kg lwt, returned $144/head to a buyer from Kangaroo Island, SA.

Merino wether lambs again recorded the largest offering for the week, rising 59% from last week, with 33,688 head. The rise in listings was boosted by a single vendor offering of 20,000 head. Selling from $80 to $151, to average $104/head – easing $10 on last week, as the category reached a 72% clearance rate- rising from 65% at the immediate close of sales. Selling for $10 over reserve, a line of 200 Merino wether lambs from Narrandera, NSW, weighing 48kg lwt returned $140/head to a buyer in Victoria.

Merino ewe lambs registered a large spike in listings, lifting by 5,001 head, to total 5,565 head offered. Prices across the category failed to be impacted by the increased offering, rising $46, to average $200/head - as clearance was impacted by selective buying, seeing a 46% clearance rate late Thursday. From Coolah, NSW, two lines of 700 Merino ewe lambs, weighing 39kg lwt returned $226/head.

First cross ewe lambs experienced the only decline in week-on week listings across the lamb categories, with the 9,111 offered back 19%. The category remains impacted by selective buying - reaching a 22% clearance rate, to average $189/head – back $18 on last week. From Nhill, Victoria, a line of 271 Border Leicester/Poll Merino ewe lambs, weighing 43kg lwt returned $218/head.

Joined ewe listings remain in small supply, with the 2,427 head offered back 49% on last week. SIL Shedding breed ewes registered the largest offering at 922 head, with the small offering increasing competition, seeing the category average $508/head – up $239, reaching an 80% clearance rate. Returning the top price for the category from Goodooga, NSW, was two lines of 200 UltraWhite ewes, aged 1.5-2.5 years, SIL to UltraWhite rams which sold for $540/head. SIL Merino ewes registered a subdued 305 head offering, impacted by selective buying as the category reached a 59% clearance averaging $201/head.

Unjoined ewe listings accounted for 25% of the weekly offering, at 27,127 head. The offering continues to be impacted by selective buying, with only one of the five categories seeing price rises on last week, while clearance rates were mixed. Merino ewe hoggets registered the largest offering with 8,681 head – up 27% on last week. The category sold to a $209/head average – easing $24 week-on-week, reaching a 31% clearance rate late Thursday.

First cross ewe listings saw a decline on last week, with the 8,174 head back 16%. Buyer willingness to look for quality over quantity saw the offering average $255/head – easing $1, reaching a 48% clearance rate late Thursday up from 38% at auction end. From Charlton, Victoria, a line of 147 Border Leicester/Merino ewes aged 13-14 months, weighing 68kg lwt, returned $314/head - $34 over reserve.

A small offering of shedding breed ewes sold to strong demand with the 826 head reaching a 100% clearance rate- rising from 89% at the immediate close of sale, while averaging $288/head – back $70. From Cobar, NSW, a line of 260 Dorper ewes, aged six-nine-months, weighing 47kg lwt, returned $204/head.

Note: Prices as at 5pm, Thursday 6th October 2022