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Weekly Sheep & Lamb Market Report

Picture of Newsroom Newsroom : Mar 4, 2026

Market reports Sheep & Lamb
Weekly Sheep & Lamb Market Report
2:03
Commercial Sheep Offerings
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Amount Over Reserve (VOR)
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Clearance Rate (%)
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ARLI c/kg DW
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Week ending Wednesday, March 11

The sheep and lamb market strengthened again on AuctionsPlus this week, with the AuctionsPlus Restocker Lamb Indicator (ARLI) reaching a record high, while listings also increased by 33%.

The ARLI lifted 28c week-on-week to 584c/kg liveweight, equivalent to 1,390c/kg dressed weight, setting a new all-time high for the indicator. On a per-head basis the indicator averaged $205/head, up $8 on last week and $24 higher month-on-month, highlighting continued strong restocker demand for lambs.

Listings also increased sharply, with 70,842 head offered, up 33% week-on-week, marking a notable lift in supply. Despite the larger yarding, demand remained strong with a 91% clearance rate.

Lambs accounted for 43,464 head of the offering and cleared 97%. Crossbred lambs lifted $18 to average $244/head and cleared 98%, while Merino ewe lambs improved $31 to $209/head with a 94% clearance. Shedding breed lambs also strengthened, rising $11 to average $202/head.

 Merino wether lambs eased $1 to $188/head, though still cleared 100%, while Merino mixed sex lambs slipped $29 to $125/head. First cross ewe lambs softened $31 to average $232/head, though clearance remained solid at 79%.

The joined ewe market produced several strong results, led by SIL First Cross ewes, which lifted $69 to average $408/head and cleared 100%. SM Merino ewes also recorded a strong lift, rising $266 to average $266/head on smaller numbers.

Across the NSM ewe categories, prices were generally softer. Merino ewes fell $26 to average $204/head, and first cross ewes slipped $32 to $265/head. Shedding breed ewes bucked the trend, lifting $23 to average $223/head and clearing 90%.

New South Wales again dominated supply, offering 39,224 head, followed by South Australia with 12,605 head and Victoria with 11,959 head. Listings increased strongly in South Australia (up 136%) and Victoria (up 58%), contributing to the national rise in offerings.

Highlights

From Apsley, SA, a line of 785 Hampshire Down/Primeline mixed sex lambs Jul/Aug '25 drop and weighing 43kg returned $275/head and will travel to a buyer in Dingee, VIC.

From Buchanan, SA, a line of 124 White Suffolk/Poll Merino mixed sex lambs Jul/Aug '25 drop and weighing 49kg returned $272/head and will travel to a buyer in Nuriootpa, SA.

From Larras Lee, NSW, a line of 416 White Suffolk/Merino mixed sex lambs Jul/Aug '25 drop and weighing 46kg returned $258/head and will travel to a buyer in Bordertown, SA.

Forward+ 

Welcome to the first edition of Forward+ market comments which will be a monthly inclusion in the AuctionsPlus Sheep Market Report.

In its first eight months of operation, Forward+ has demonstrated strong engagement from early adopters. Following close consultation to build the platform, 15 processors were successfully onboarded establishing a diverse group of buyers.

During this period over 13,000 head were listed and sold through Forward+ with 16 offers placed across the listings. Processor participation led to an average of 12 processors viewing each listing. Overall, this indicated competitive interest in the listings, and effective visibility of those listings within the buyer network.

AuctionsPlus Business Development Manager Zoë Mcfarlan has played a key role in developing the Forward+ product and is pleased with its uptake, encouraging more producers to take advantage of the platform.

"With over 150 agents operating on Forward+, now is the time to speak to your agent and take advantage of this new, transparent selling method allowing for risk-management and choice", Ms Mcfarlan said.

Week ending Wednesday, March 4

Strong buyer demand continued to support the sheep and lamb market on AuctionsPlus this week, with clearance rates holding firm at 95%. Competition remained steady across most categories, while the AuctionsPlus Restocker Lamb Indicator (ARLI) lifted 13.84c to 1,360c/kg DW, reflecting ongoing interest in lighter lamb and store types. Total offerings reached 53,090 head, back 9% week-on-week. 

Price movements across lamb categories were mixed but generally steady. Crossbred lambs lifted $6 to average $225/head, achieving full clearance, while Merino wether lambs also improved slightly, rising $2 to average $189/head, with 100% clearance. Merino ewe lambs recorded a stronger gain, lifting $16 to average $177/head and clearing 88%. In contrast, First Cross ewe lambs eased $26 to average $263/head, clearing 70%. 

The joined ewe market remained a highlight, with 9,695 head offered and 98% clearance, while the average price lifted to $333/head. SIL Merino ewes held steady at $328/head, clearing 95%, while SM First Cross ewes posted the largest gain, rising $128 to average $424/head on a limited offering. SIL shedding breed ewes lifted $43 to average $329/head.

The NSM ewe market offered 11,345 head, clearing 90%, with the average price easing slightly to $228/head, back from $235 last week. Merino ewe hoggets lifted $5 to average $222/head, clearing 93%, while Merino ewes eased marginally $1 to average $230/head, with 95% clearance. First Cross ewes averaged $297/head on a smaller offering, clearing 65%, while shedding breed ewes slipped $31 to average $200/head but still achieved 100% clearance. 

Supply continued to be heavily concentrated in New South Wales, which accounted for around 65% of the national offering, listing 34,325 head this week. Victoria contributed approximately 14% of listings with, while Queensland made up about 11% of the market.

On the buying side, NSW buyers secured about 47% of purchases, taking 23,418 head, while Victorian buyers accounted for roughly 30% of the market and South Australian buyers made up around 21% of demand.

Highlights

From Ardlethan, NSW, a line of 308  station mated first cross Border Leicester/Poll Merino ewes aged 16 to 17 months old and weighing 73kg returned $424/head and will travel to a buyer in Redan, VIC.

From Walcha, NSW, a line of 700 Poll Dorset/Border Leicester/Merino mixed sex lambs Sep/Oct '25 drop and weighing 45kg returned $260/head and will travel to a buyer in Dubbo, NSW.

From Edenhope, VIC, a line of 322 White Suffolk/Merino first cross ewe lambs Jun/Aug '25 drop and weighing 47kg returned $270/head and will travel to a buyer in Horsham, VIC.

Week ending Wednesday, February 25

Sheep and Lamb listings lifted this week on AuctionsPlus, with 58,153 head offered, up 11% on last week. It was the fourth week of a growing offering, with clearance rates also rising to meet this increased supply. This week clearance was 89% at auction, which strengthened to 92% in post sale negotiations, up 4 percentage points from the previous week.

The AuctionsPlus Restocker Lamb Indicator (ARLI) climbed 65.99c to 1,344c/kg DW, reflecting stronger competition for lighter and store types.

Lambs accounted for 43,151 head, up 22% week-on-week, clearing 91% of listings. Crossbred lambs averaged $220/head with a 95% clearance, while Merino wether lambs gained $15 to average $187/head and cleared 97%. Shedding breed lambs also improved, lifting $18 to average $197/head. First Cross ewe lambs were softer, back $17 to $290/head, and Merino ewe lambs eased $62 to average $161/head.

The joined ewe market was a standout, with SIL Merino ewes lifting $63 to average $328/head and clearing 95%. A small offering of SM First Cross ewes fetched an average of $296/head and SIL shedding breed ewes hit 286, reflecting strong restocker demand for proven breeders. NSM ewe categories were mixed, though Merino ewes and shedding breed ewes both posted gains and maintained 100% clearance.

NSW continued to underpin supply and demand, offering 39,175 head and achieving a 95% clearance rate. Buyers from NSW, Victoria and South Australia accounted for the majority of purchases, with strong interstate competition supporting prices. NSW vendors increased their offering by 38% this week and NSW buyers increased their activity by 60%.

Processors accounted for 5.47% of purchases.

Highlights

From Digby, VIC, a line of 240 Southdown mixed sex lambs Sep/Sep '25 drop and weighing 51kg returned $257/head and will travel to a buyer in Echuca, VIC.

From Esperance, WA, a line of 265 Composite mixed sex lambs Jun/Jul '25 drop and weighing 49kg returned $230/head and will travel to a buyer in Esperance, WA.

From Wellington, NSW, a line of 204 Border Leicester/Merino first cross ewe lambs Mar/Apr '25 drop and weighing 55kg returned $332/head and will travel to a buyer in Ariah Park, NSW.

Week ending Wednesday, February 18

Commercial sheep and lamb listings edged higher on AuctionsPlus this week, with 52,316 head offered, up 2% week-on-week. While overall clearance eased 11 percentage points to 78%, demand remained active in key lamb categories. The strongest week-on-week improvement was seen in First Cross ewe lambs, which lifted $90 to average $322/head. The AuctionsPlus Restocker Lamb Indicator (ARLI) also firmed 37c to 1,288c/kg DW, while value over reserve held at $21/head.

Lambs made up the bulk of the offering at 35,514 head, clearing 87% on average, with most categories lifting in price on last week. Crossbred lambs remained well supported, averaging 568c/kg or $221/head, up $14, with a 95% clearance. Merino wether lambs gained $7 to average $173/head, clearing 92%, while Merino mixed sex lambs achieved a 93% clearance at 543c/kg. Composite and other breed lambs cleared 100%, averaging $238/head, despite easing 30c/kg. Shedding breed lambs lifted slightly to average $181/head, with an 87% clearance.

The joined ewe offering totalled 8,544 head, clearing 74%. SIL Merino ewes averaged $263/head, back $22, while SM Merino ewes eased $23 to $266/head. In contrast, SM shedding breed ewes lifted $67 to average $278/head, achieving full clearance.

NSM ewe numbers reached 8,648 head, with clearance at 48%. Merino ewe hoggets were a positive, lifting $25 to average $234/head, while First Cross ewes averaged $283/head, clearing 62%. Shedding breed ewes were softer, back $40 to average $189/head, and composite ewes eased $29 to $261/head.

Highlights

From Ariah Park, NSW, a line of 200 Border Leicester/Merino first cross ewe lambs aged 10 to 11 months old and weighing 60kg returned $350/head and will travel to a buyer in Wangaratta, VIC.

From Apsley, SA, a line of 755 Hampshire Down/Primeline mixed sex lambs Jun/Jul '25 drop and weighing 44kg returned $260/head and will travel to a buyer in Dingee, VIC.

From Willalooka, SA, a line of 220 station mated UltraWhite/Australian White ewes aged 2.4 to 2.6 years old and weighing 65kg returned $314/head and will travel to a buyer in Hamilton, VIC.

Week ending Wednesday, February 11

Listings lifted sharply on AuctionsPlus this week, with 50,782 head offered, up 26% on last week, as clearance held firm at 87% at the time of publication. Demand remained solid despite the larger yarding, with buyers continuing to compete across most categories. The AuctionsPlus Restocker Lamb Indicator (ARLI) eased 56.57c to 1,251c/kg DW, but remains at historically strong levels.

Lambs accounted for 31,435 head, clearing 94% of listings. Crossbred lambs were again well supported, with 100% clearance and prices lifting $5 to average $207/head. Composite and other breed lambs followed a similar trend, up $7 to average $214/head, also clearing 100%. First Cross ewe lambs lifted $5 to $232/head with an 85% clearance, while Merino wether lambs were the only softer line, back $4 to average $166/head.

The ewe market was generally positive. SM Merino ewes lifted $29 to average $289/head, while SIL First Cross ewes gained $24 to $322/head and cleared 90%. NSM Merino ewe hoggets slipped $4 to $208/head, clearing 57%.

NSW dominated listings, offering 40,767 head, up 77% week-on-week, and achieved a 91% clearance. It also led buyer activity, securing 55% of purchased volume. Processor competition accounted for 9.7% of total sales this week.

Highlights

From Wycheproof, Victoria, a line of 184 Merino wether lambs Apr/May '24 drop and weighing 47kg returned $215/head and will travel to a buyer in Kerang, Victoria.

From Young, NSW, a line of 170 Poll Dorset mixed sex lambs Aug/Sep '25 drop and weighing 46kg returned $226/head and will travel to a buyer in Ariah Park, NSW.

From Ganmain, NSW, a line of 211 SM Merino ewes aged 3.5 to 3.5 years old and weighing 63kg returned $294/head and will travel to a buyer in West Wyalong, NSW.

Week ending Wednesday, February 4

The AuctionsPlus commercial sheep and lamb market held up well in the week ending Wednesday February 4, with the standout performances coming from Merino ewe lambs lifting to $210/head, Merino ewe hoggets lifting to $228/head and crossbred lambs averaging $210/head. These gains point to continued buyer appetite even as overall market indicators softened slightly week-on-week.

National commercial sheep offerings totalled 40,310 head, down 10%. Clearance rates eased to 70%, meanwhile the value over reserve (VOR) slipped $6 to $20/head, signalling buyers were more selective but still prepared to compete. The AuctionsPlus Restocker Lamb Indicator (ARLI) eased 9c to 1,201c/kg DW, reflecting a steady market with only minor downward movement overall.

The Tuesday National Lamb sale held 71% of the commercial offerings this week. Lamb results were mixed but generally positive across all categories. Merino ewe lambs delivered the strongest lift of the week, while crossbred lambs improved to average $210/head and maintained a solid 80% clearance rate. First cross ewe lambs also lifted sharply, although clearance was lower at 38%, suggesting price rises were concentrated on a handful of lots. Merino wether lambs were the main softer point, easing $7 to average $171/head, but still cleared fully, showing reliable demand. Composite/other breed lambs and shedding breed lambs both improved modestly.

In the ewe market, results again highlighted the importance of quality and buyer fit. SIL Merino ewes lifted $9 to $259/head, while SIL shedding breed ewes were firmer, up $33 to $283/head. NSM categories showed some strength, led by Merino ewe hoggets which averaged $212.

Interstate purchasing increased to 43%, up 5 percentage points. Processors accounted 5% of all purchases made.

Highlights

From Wellington, NSW, a line of 210 Border Leicester/Merino first cross ewe lambs May/Jun '25 drop and weighing 52kg returned $359/head and will travel to a buyer in Dangarsleigh, NSW.

From Buangor, VIC, a line of 166 NUDIE ewes aged 16 to 18 months old and weighing 62kg returned $340/head and will travel to a buyer in Codrington, VIC.

From Ararat, VIC, a line of 355 White Suffolk/Merino mixed sex lambs Jul/Aug '25 drop and weighing 45kg returned $247/head and will travel to a buyer in Strangways, VIC.

Week ending Wednesday, January 28

AuctionsPlus commercial sheep and lamb offerings closed the week ending Wednesday, January 28 with 43,843 head listed, with supply softening from last week. However, demand remained firm, with clearance rates lifting three percentage points to 80% and buyer competition strengthening across key lamb categories.

The AuctionsPlus Restocker Lamb Indicator (ARLI) continued its upward momentum, lifting 35 cents to 1,212 c/kg DW. This places the indicator well above typical January levels and highlights the strong restocker demand, even amid challenging seasonal conditions including the widespread heatwave currently occurring across much of Australia.

Merino wether lambs recorded one of the strongest week-on-week gains, rising $9 to average $175 per head and clearing at 95%. Crossbred lambs, the largest offering, averaged $194 per head, easing slightly by $3 but still achieving a solid 90% clearance.

First cross ewe lambs also achieved price improvements, lifting 53c/kg to average 565 c/kg, reflecting continued confidence in restocking and future breeding potential.

Interstate purchasing increased four percentage points to 40%, while the value over reserve improved by $15 to $28, reinforcing the positive underlying demand. Listings fell most notably from New South Wales and Victoria, while buyer activity increased from Victoria, South Australia and Queensland.

Overall, the market held firm, with reduced supply and improving indicators underpinning a positive outlook heading into February.

Processors accounted for 1.4% of all purchases made.

Highlights

From Cudgee, VIC, a line of 26 CHAROLLAIS ewes aged 2 years old and weighing 72kg returned $750/head and will travel to a buyer in Oberon, NSW.

From Wellington, NSW, a line of 220 Border Leicester/Merino first cross ewe lambs Apr '25 drop and weighing 54kg returned $300/head and will travel to a buyer in Dubbo, NSW. From Mila, NSW, a line of 850 Poll Dorset/Border Leicester/Merino mixed sex lambs Sep/Oct '25 drop and weighing 33kg returned $185/head and will travel to a buyer in Albury, NSW.

Week ending Wednesday, January 21

AuctionsPlus posted a positive commercial sheep and lamb result for the week ending Wednesday, 21 January, with the market best described as steady to dearer on the strength of restocker demand. Buyer confidence remained evident even with a larger offering of 63,300 head, and clearance holding at 76% confirmed competition stayed active for well-bred, well-presented lines.

The AuctionsPlus Restocker Lamb Indicator (ARLI) finished the week at $169/head, easing $2/head week-on-week. While slightly softer, the ARLI remains historically strong and well above the long-term average of $121/head (since 2016), sitting around $48/head higher than the decade trend. The indicator is also $65/head above year-ago levels, confirming restocker confidence is still running well ahead of early 2025. On a weight basis, the ARLI tracked at 1181c/kg, keeping values in an elevated range despite coming off the recent peak of $183/head.

Across lamb categories, the strongest week-on-week improvement was in First Cross Ewe Lambs, lifting $20/head to $197/head. Shedding Breed Lambs also moved higher, rising $14/head to $179/head, which continues to reflect broad-based restocker support. The main softening came through Merino Wether Lambs, down $9/head to $166/head, suggesting buyers were a touch more price-sensitive in that category.

Sheep results were mixed, but there were still clear positives. SIL Merino Ewes rose $18/head to $244/head, indicating improved support for breeding-type lines. The biggest correction was seen in Merino Wethers, falling $24/head to $141/head, although clearance overall suggests the market remained functional where value aligned with quality.

Interstate purchasing eased to 37%, down 3 percentage points week-on-week, pointing to slightly more localised buying patterns. Meanwhile, the average value over reserve improved to $14, up $3.

In terms of state movements, the strongest lift in listings was out of New South Wales, while Victoria recorded the largest reduction. On the buying side, Queensland showed the biggest week-on-week increase in purchasing activity, while South Australia recorded the sharpest pull-back.

Processors accounted for 4% of all purchases made.

HIGHLIGHTS

From Boort, VIC, a line of 70 Border Leicester/Poll Merino first cross ewe lambs Apr/May '25 drop and weighing 64kg returned $310/head and will travel to a buyer in Bairnsdale, VIC.

From Nyngan, NSW, a line of 452 SIL Merino ewes aged 4.5 to 5.5 years old and weighing 72kg returned $282/head and will travel to a buyer in Wagga Wagga, NSW.

From Bonshaw, NSW, a line of 206 PRIMELINE ewes Jun/Jul '25 drop and weighing 49kg returned $275/head and will travel to a buyer in Bathurst, NSW.

Week ending Wednesday, January 14

AuctionsPlus commercial sheep and lamb numbers lifted sharply for the week ending Wednesday, January 14, with total offerings rising to 63,977 head, up 280% week-on-week. Despite the larger yarding, demand held up well, with the clearance rate improving to 76%, up 4 percentage points.

The AuctionsPlus Restocker Lamb Indicator (ARLI) eased to 1,187c/kg DW, down 45c/kg. While this was the largest week-on-week movement across the key indicators, the ARLI remains historically strong and still reflects a market operating at elevated levels compared to longer-term averages. This week’s softer result appears more like a correction under heavier supply rather than a major shift in restocker confidence, particularly with clearance rates strengthening at the same time.

Lamb price movements were mixed, with first cross ewe lambs, averaging $217/head, and crossbred lambs averaging $180/head, down $16/head. Shedding breed lambs also eased to $165/head, down $27/head, while composite/other breed lambs averaged $203/head. The standout improvement came from Merino wether lambs, which lifted to $175/head, up $43/head.

Sheep categories were generally steadier, with some positive signs in breeding types. Merino ewe hoggets averaged $205/head, up $16/head, and composite/other breed ewes improved to $278/head, up $12/head. The softer point was shedding breed ewes, averaging $223/head.

Interstate demand strengthened, with interstate purchasing rising to 42%, up 14 percentage points, helping underpin clearance despite the sharp lift in listings. The biggest week-on-week shift was the surge in catalogue volume, while buying activity remained broad-based, reinforcing that demand is still present even as the ARLI moderated.

Processors accounted for 3% of all purchases made.

HIGHLIGHTS

From Yanac, VIC, a line of 225 Poll Merino wether lambs May/Jul '25 drop and weighing 53kg returned $244/head and will travel to a buyer in Loxton, SA.

From Holbrook, NSW, a line of 405 White Suffolk/Merino mixed sex lambs Jun/Jul '25 drop and weighing 47kg returned $231/head and will travel to a buyer in Dubbo, NSW.

From Byaduk North, VIC, a line of 164 Composite ewes aged 2.6 to 2.7 years old and weighing 69kg returned $354/head and will travel to a buyer in Hamilton, VIC.

 

Week ending Wednesday, Jan 7

The AuctionsPlus Restocker Lamb Indicator opened the year at 1,233 c/kg DW, remaining consistent with late December levels. On a per head basis, the ARLI sat at $201, well above long-term averages and reflective of resilient restocker demand heading into the new year.

Crossbred lambs were well supported, averaging $196/head with a strong 96% clearance, while Merino wether lambs averaged $132/head. First cross ewe lambs attracted premium interest, averaging $359/head, and Merino ewe lambs achieved full clearance at an average of $178/head, albeit from smaller numbers.

Ewe markets were mixed but generally positive. Merino ewe hoggets averaged $189/head and cleared in full, while composite and other breed ewes averaged $266/head with an 87% clearance.

Buyer participation remained broad, with 12,100 head purchased nationally. South Australian buyers were the most active, followed closely by NSW and Victorian buyers, with new buyers also entering the market and supporting competition.

New South Wales accounted for the majority of supply at 7,880 head, followed by Victoria with 5,117 head and South Australia with 2,180 head. Clearance rates were strongest in South Australia at 98%, while NSW and Victoria recorded 78% and 75% respectively, highlighting continued competition where quality and suitability aligned with buyer demand.

HIGHLIGHTS

From Narromine, NSW, a line of 110 Border Leicester/Merino first cross ewe lambs Mar/Apr '25 drop and weighing 64kg returned $371/head and will travel to a buyer in Stockinbingal, NSW.

From Gnarwarre, VIC, a line of 91 Suffolk ewes aged 18 to 19 months old and weighing 68kg returned $400/head and will travel to a buyer in Blayney, NSW.

From Karabeal, VIC, a line of 625 Poll Dorset/PRIMELINE mixed sex lambs Jun/Aug '25 drop and weighing 52kg returned $245/head and will travel to a buyer in Stawell, VIC.