The second week of sheep and lamb sales for 2024 registered a much stronger offering of 90,322 head, with demand falling on last week but still extremely healthy at an 80% clearance rate. The larger offering resulted in falls for average value over reserve levels and the crossbred lamb average price, although the AuctionsPlus Restocker Lamb Indicator jumped a further 19c/kg carcase weight.
The market mostly responded strongly to the larger overall offering, with 10 categories rising on last week’s price levels and four falling. The falls were mostly led by lamb categories, which can be attributed to the large yardings on offer, with crossbred lambs seeing over 30,000 head and Merino wether lambs seeing just shy of 15,000 head.
The joined and Non-Station Mated (NSM) ewe categories recorded much higher numbers, with 8,927 joined ewes and 24,597 NSM ewes while prices strengthened for the majority of categories.
Processors were active this week, with 5% of the sold offering being secured by a processer buyer. Processors were mainly active on Merino types, purchasing older wethers and ewe hoggets, while crossbred lambs were also keenly sought. Processors looked interstate to fill orders this week, with plenty of movement between Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia and NSW.
Table 1: AuctionsPlus National Weekly Sheep and Lamb Prices
Report: Interactive Market Dashboard
Crossbred lambs totalled 30,403 head this week with prices falling by $9 to average $108/head and an 80% clearance. From Snowtown, SA, a line of 320 White Suffolk/Merino Jul/Aug '23 mixed sex lambs weighing 43kg lwt returned $133/head, or 313c/kg.
Merino wether lamb offerings reached 14,833 head this week, with the offering selling from $46 to $120, to average $68/head – falling $5. Demand was strong with an 87% clearance achieved and a $9 average value over reserve. From Naracoorte, SA, a line of 740 Poll Merino wethers Mar/Apr '23 drop and weighing 44kg lwt returned $119/head, or 270c/kg.
Merino ewes were keenly sought this week, with the 9,590 head returning a 90% clearance and prices rising by $22 to average $100/head. From Tottenham, NSW, a line of 150 Merino ewes aged 2.5 years old and weighing 70kg returned $174/head.
Note: Prices as at 5pm Thursday, 19th January 2024