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WA weekly sheep summary
02 July 2015
Lamb
Limited rain fell in southern WA this week with dry conditions predicted for the inland areas going forward. Direct-to-works contracts appear to be meeting most of the lamb processors’ requirements, with scheduled prices exceeding those being paid at sales. Both yardings were slightly larger, with secondary and store lamb supplies dominating. Solid numbers of Merino lambs were available with most of these in store condition. Prime trade and heavy lamb numbers were small.
Most buyers were present but maintenance at a number of works saw a continuing reduction in activity. Prices for prime trade lambs were close to firm at both sales, however secondary and Merino drafts continued to ease. Prime lamb prices averaged close to 500¢/kg cwt. Merino and store conditioned drafts priced between 440¢ and 480¢/kg cwt, with a significant portion purchased by feeders and restockers.
Trade lambs eased slightly and sold between $70 and $122/head, to be close to 490¢/kg cwt. Lighter lambs suitable for processors, air freight markets and feeders were marginally easier, at $60 and $95/head. Very light and store lambs, including solid supplies of Merinos, sold between $30 and $65/head, to be close to firm.
Mutton
Mutton prices to processors lifted marginally. Heavier 3 and 4 score ewes made $65 to $110/head, to average close to 290¢/kg cwt. The 2 score processor ewes sold between $45 and $75 and light ewes made from $35 to $55/head. Restocker activity improved on suitable younger drafts, with prices from $45 to $90/head and the dearest drafts close to full wool.
Live export competition was selective on all wether drafts but there was improved restocker activity on the better framed store wethers. Export weight wether drafts made $80 to $104/head. Lighter conditioned wethers were firm, with most sales between $50 and $90/head. Ram lambs sold from $60 to $104, with live exporters and feeders paying $30 to $88/head on suitable drafts. Older drafts to processors made $30 to $57/head.
Note: All yardings and prices referenced from MLA’s National Livestock Reporting Service (NLRS) reported saleyards.
