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Thursday daily sheep summary

02 June 2016


Lamb throughput at Hamilton increased 23% this week, to 7,201 head. Quality ranged from average to very good across the offering, with all the regular buyers in attendance. Generally, the market continued a steady course, with most prices for light and medium trade weights finishing firm, while better conditioned heavy lambs settled slightly dearer.

Mutton consignments increased 24%, to 5,967 head. Quality was mixed overall, with a heavier offering of sheep week-on-week.

  • Light weight 2 score old lambs were back 4¢, averaging 609¢/kg cwt
  • Trade weight 3 score old lambs averaged 3¢ lower, at 608¢/kg cwt
  • Heavy weight 4 score old lambs were up 15¢, to 605¢/kg cwt
  • Medium weight 2 score first-cross ewes jumped 4¢, to 368¢/kg cwt  

CTLX lamb numbers increased 44%, to 11,250 head. Quality across most categories was notably mixed, with trade and heavy weight lines in fair supply, along with a large offering of light weight store lambs. Lighter sections to processors were dearer, with heavy weight categories following a similar trend.

Mutton throughput increased 5%, to 2,000 head. Quality varied throughout the sale, with a limited selection of prime sheep penned.

  • Light weight 2 score old lambs to restockers jumped 33¢, to 672¢/kg cwt
  • Trade weight 3 score old lambs to processors gained 9¢, on 605¢/kg cwt
  • Heavy weight 4 score old lambs averaged 613¢, up 12¢/kg cwt
  • Medium weight 3 score Merino ewes jumped 11¢, to 382¢/kg cwt  

At the close of Wednesday’s markets:

  • The eastern states restocker lamb indicator gained 7¢ on where it finished the previous day, on 617¢/kg cwt
  • Merino lambs held firm, on 564¢/kg cwt
  • Light lambs were up 1¢, to 584¢/kg cwt
  • Trade lambs were up 1¢, to 592¢/kg cwt
  • Heavy lambs were steady, on 605¢/kg cwt
  • The mutton indicator settled 1¢ higher at 385¢/kg cwt

For the full list of sheep market reports, please click here                                                 

Note: All yardings and prices referenced are from MLA reported saleyards.