Subscribe to The Weekly e-newsletter
For in-depth red meat market news, information and analysis.
Wednesday daily sheep summary
30 March 2016
Lamb throughput at Forbes increased 46% this week, yarding 30,100 head. Quality was mixed across most categories, with heavy and extra heavy lambs presenting in notable condition. Trade lines mostly lacked finished, with all the usual buyers operating in a firm to slightly cheaper market.
Mutton numbers declined 5%, to 7,100 head. Quality varied, with heavy Merino lines well supplied
- Trade weight 3 score old lambs to slaughter were 13¢ lower, on 517¢/kg cwt
- Heavy weight 4 score old lambs to slaughter held firm on 522¢/kg cwt
- Extra heavy weight 4 score old lambs were back 15¢, on 509¢/kg cwt
- Medium weight 3 score Merino ewes were 2¢ dearer, on 297¢/kg cwt
Consignments at Ballarat increased 13%, to 20,849 head. Quality in the leading drafts was good, with some notable pens of extra heavy shorn lambs. Competition for export and slaughter lines set the platform for the sale, with prices trending dearer as a result.
Sheep throughput increased significantly this week, yarding 6,160 head. Merino lines dominated the yarding, however varied in condition.
- Light weight 2 score old lambs to restockers were back 34¢, on 517¢/kg cwt
- Medium weight 3 score old lambs to processors were up 12¢, on 553¢/kg cwt
- Heavy weight 3 score old lambs to slaughter were 3¢ dearer, on 539¢/kg cwt
- Medium weight 2 score Merino ewes were up 5¢, averaging 325¢/kg cwt
At the close of Tuesday’s markets:
- The eastern states restocker lamb indicator finished on 528¢/kg cwt
- Merino lambs averaged 468¢/kg cwt
- Light lambs averaged 513¢/kg cwt
- Trade lambs averaged 526¢/kg cwt
- Heavy lambs averaged 520¢/kg cwt
- The mutton indicator averaged 300¢/kg cwt
For the full list of sheep market reports, please click here
Note: All yardings and prices referenced are from MLA reported saleyards.
