The AuctionsPlus commercial sheep and lamb markets increased by 5% this week to 71,248 head as growers looked to take advantage of the rising market and uptick in confidence ahead of the Christmas shutdown. The market rose sharply this week, with price rises across the board. Crossbred lambs led the charge increasing 20% in price, while the AuctionsPlus Restocker Lamb Indicator lifted by 22c to 401c/kg. Demand was strong, finishing the week with a 75% clearance. Value Over Reserve lifted by $1, to average $13 above set reserves.
Numbers picked up for all stock categories apart for NSM ewes, which registered a 7% decline to 20,621 head. Joined ewes rose significantly from 877 head last week to 2,581 head and lambs lifted by 5% to 44,244 head. State-based listings were drawn mainly from NSW, with the 34,578 head comprising 49% of the weekly total, while sharp rises in listings from Western Australia and Queensland were also recorded this week. Western Australia listed 4,105 head and Queensland listed 2,721 head, with both states seeing large percentage rises from last week. Victoria listed 32% more than last week at 14,853 head.
Difference between starts and reserves pushed out slightly this week to 9.61%, while new season lambs continue to be highly sought after with the 44,633 head reaching an 83% clearance rate and average rates increasing by $7 to $74/head.
Table 1: AuctionsPlus National Weekly Sheep and Lamb Prices
Report: Interactive Market Dashboard
Crossbred lambs continued their strong clearance run, with the 22,337 head returning a 90% clearance rate. This was aided by a fall in listings of 19% on last week, which helped push the average price up to $79/head, rising $12. From Wanganella, NSW a line of 460 White Suffolk/Poll Merino mixed sex May/Jun '23 lambs weighing 41kg lwt returned $98/head, or 239c/kg. The same vendor had a total of 1,760 head on offer ranging in weight between 27 – 41kg with all lots finding buyers, with prices ranging between $72 - $98 to average $87/head.
Merino wether offerings increased 19% to 2,623 head and was met with strong demand with a 100% clearance rate and prices increasing by $3 to average $64/head. From Meredith, VIC a line of 452 Merino wethers rising 3 years and weighing 48kg returned $89/head.
Merino ewe hoggets experienced selective buying for the 7,995 head on offer, returning a 41% clearance. The category sold well, with prices rising by $16 to average $101/head and value over reserve averaged $20 above set reserves. From Ruffy, VIC a line of 365 Poll Merino ewes aged 16 to 18 months old and weighing 44kg returned $96/head.
Note: Prices as at 5pm Thursday, 7th December 2023
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