AuctionsPlus commercial sheep and lamb listings felt a squeeze this week with 68,819 head offered, 37% less than last week's offering.
The sheep and lamb market experienced some fluctuation this week, with clearance rates dipping to 66%, reflecting softer buyer demand. The Crossbred Lamb indicator dropped by 5% to $118/head, while the Restocker Lamb indicator saw a slight lift, averaging 664c/kg dressed.
As mentioned, the slight pinch in clearance saw the rate drop four percentage points to finish the week at 66%. The clearance rate at auction was 46% indicating plenty of post-sale transactions took place this week.
The value over reserve held steady to the week prior, maintaining an average of $9/head over set reserves.
The new season lamb offerings have fallen in comparison to the climb in numbers seen last week. A total of 46,280 head was offered this week compared to 74,910 listed in the week prior.
This category made up 67% of the total yarding and achieved a 74% clearance rate, remaining relatively stable from last week's clearance rate of 76% for new season lambs.
Listings were down across QLD, NSW, Victoria and South Australia. However, NSW is maintained its run as the greatest listing state with 44,614 head listed.
Central Western NSW remains the strongest listing region, with 14,797 head listed from the area making up 22% of this week's sheep and lamb yarding.
Table 1: AuctionsPlus National Weekly Sheep and Lamb Prices
Report: Interactive Market Dashboard
Crossbred lambs registered 31,806 head, down from 47,779 head last week, with prices decreasing $5/head to average of $118/head.
From Millthorpe, NSW a line of 40 Border Leicester/Merino ewes aged three years old, and weighing 60kg returned $300/head, or 500c/kg lwt and will travel to a buyer in Shadforth, NSW.
First cross ewe lamb prices have continued to increase, rising an additional $12/head to average $163/head. The clearance rate was 65% in this category.
From Deniliquin, NSW a line of 110 Border Leicester/Merino ewes aged June/23 drop and weighing 67kg returned $254/head, or 380c/kg lwt and will travel to a buyer in Casterton, VIC.
Although a smaller yarding was listed, it was a strong week for Merino wether lambs with 10,478 offered averaging $97 a head, gaining $10/head on last week. The category had a strong clearance rate of 92%.
From Hay, NSW a line of 730 Merino/Merino wethers June/24 drop and weighing 43kg lwt returned $124/head, or 286c/kg and will travel to a buyer in Port Adelaide, SA.
Note: Prices as at 5pm Thursday, October 10, 2024.