Wednesday daily sheep summary

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Lamb throughput at Forbes increased 20% week-on-week, to 34,200 head, and quality improved on the previous sale, with an increased number of well-finished lambs penned. Heavy and extra heavy lambs were best represented. Light weight 3 score Merino lambs lifted 5¢ on 592¢, while 4 score trade weight lambs were up 8¢ on 626¢/kg cwt. Heavy weight 4 score lambs increased 22¢ on 628¢, while extra heavy 4 score lambs gained 10¢ and averaged 572¢/kg cwt. Sheep consignments eased 2%, at 4,000 head, and quality was very mixed, with Merinos accounting for the majority of the yarding. Medium weight 3 score Merino ewes declined 10¢ and averaged 405¢/kg cwt.

At Ballarat, lamb offerings decreased 16%, to 10,449 head, and there was a greater supply of lighter weight and plainer quality lambs penned. Not all of the regular buying group operated. Light weight 2 score lambs slipped 12¢ on 608¢, while 3 score trade weight lambs increased 36¢ on 622¢/kg cwt. Heavy weight 3 score lambs lifted 43¢ on 644¢, while extra heavy 3 score lambs gained 58¢ on 650¢/kg cwt. Sheep throughput was 44% higher, on 4,202 head, and there was a wide range in quality throughout the yarding, with all weights and grades on offer. Light weight 2 score Merino ewes slipped 36¢ and averaged 387¢/kg cwt.

At the close of Tuesday’s markets, the eastern states restocker lamb indicator increased 9¢ on 576¢/kg cwt. Merino lambs eased 1¢ on 550¢, while light lambs were back 3¢ on 569¢/kg cwt. Trade lambs and heavy lambs were 3¢ higher, on 605¢ and 603¢/kg cwt, respectively. The mutton indicator was back 2¢ and finished on 404¢/kg cwt.

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