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Wednesday daily sheep summary

23 March 2016


Lamb throughput in Forbes increased 2% week-on-week, to 20,650 head. Quality was very strong, with good drafts of heavy weight lines seen across the pen. Plainer lines were also well supplied, with all buyers operating keenly, resulting in a dearer market.

Mutton numbers increased a further 21% this week, to 7,500 head. Quality was good, with medium weight Merino ewes selling to a dearer trend.

  • Trade weight 3 score old lambs to slaughter were 1¢ dearer, on 531¢/kg cwt
  • Heavy weight 4 score old lambs to slaughter were up 8¢, on 523¢/kg cwt
  • Extra heavy weight 4 score old lambs averaged 524¢, up 7¢/kg cwt
  • Medium weight 3 score Merino ewes averaged 295¢, up 35¢/kg cwt

Numbers at Ballarat decreased 16% this week, to 18,434 head. Quality varied across all categories, with all the usual plethora of buyers present, however not all were operating. Heavier lines sold dearer, with medium and light lambs following a similar trend, lifting slightly in the lead up to the Easter break.

Sheep throughput decreased 34%, to 3,738 head. All weights and grades were on offer, with drafts of lighter mutton well supplied and heavier lines holding firm.

  • Light weight 2 score young lambs to processors jumped 30¢, to 535¢/kg cwt
  • Trade weight 3 score old lambs to slaughter were up 11¢, to 541¢/kg cwt
  • Extra heavy weight 4 score old lambs were 6¢ dearer, at 516¢/kg cwt

At the close of Tuesday’s markets:                                     

  • The eastern states restocker lamb indicator decreased 6¢, to 527¢/kg cwt
  • Merino lambs were up 7¢, to 483¢/kg cwt
  • Light lambs were up 9¢, to 518¢/kg cwt
  • Trade lambs were up 3¢, to 527¢/kg cwt
  • Heavy lambs were up 3¢, to 519¢/kg cwt
  • The mutton indicator increased 8¢, to 302¢/kg cwt

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

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