Wednesday daily sheep summary

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Lamb consignments at Forbes increased 9% week-on-week, to 36,800 head, and quality across the offering was good, particularly for the new season lambs. Trade and heavy weight lambs were well-supplied, along with good runs of Merinos. All the regular buyers operated in a generally cheaper market. New season trade weight 3 score lambs averaged 615¢, while heavy weight 3 score lambs averaged 597¢/kg cwt. Old season light weight 3 score lambs slipped 15¢ on 575¢, while 3 score trade weight lines fell 21¢ and averaged 578¢/kg cwt. Heavy weight 4 score lambs were back 64¢ on 564¢, while extra heavy 4 score lambs were 52¢ lower and averaged 555¢/kg cwt. Sheep throughput lifted 10%, to 9,400 head, and it was a good quality yarding consisting mainly of Merinos. Medium weight 3 score Merino ewes gained 6¢ on 411¢/kg cwt.

At Ballarat, lamb numbers increased 5%, to 11,019 head, and not all of the regular buyers operated. Better presented lambs sold to similar levels to last week, while plainer trade weight lines sold to a cheaper trend. Feeders and restockers were active on lighter runs. Light weight 3 score lambs slipped 24¢ on 607¢, while 3 score trade weight lambs were back 34¢ on 603¢/kg cwt. Heavy weight 3 score lambs declined 45¢ on 599¢, while extra heavy 4 score lambs were 31¢ lower and averaged 591¢/kg cwt. Sheep consignments increased 6%, to 4,460 head, and there were not as many light sheep yarded. Light weight 2 score Merino ewes fell 19¢ and averaged 368¢/kg cwt.

At the close of Tuesday’s markets, the eastern states restocker lamb indicator declined 27¢ on 508¢/kg cwt. Merino lambs were down 14¢ on 528¢, while light lambs fell 9¢ on 553¢/kg cwt. Trade lambs decreased 6¢ on 585¢, while heavy lambs were 12¢ lower on 587¢/kg cwt. The mutton indicator eased 1¢ on 395¢/kg cwt.

Note: All yardings and prices referenced are from MLA’s National Livestock Reporting Service (NLRS) reported saleyards.