Thursday daily sheep summary

CTLX lamb throughput increased 14% this week, to 4,100 head. Rainfall across the supply area saw numbers slightly lower on the expected draw, with a mostly plainer offering seen overall. Good conditioned trade and heavy weight lines were limited, with lighter weight sections to processors trending dearer.

Mutton numbers increased 38%, to 1,650 head. Quality varied and most grades sold to similar levels week-on-week.

• Light weight 2 score lambs to processors averaged 603¢/kg cwt
• Trade weight 3 score lambs to slaughter jumped 2¢, to 648¢/kg cwt
• Medium weight 4 score Merino wethers gained 17¢, averaging 408¢/kg cwt  

At Hamilton, lamb consignments declined 44% to 1,233 head. Sheepvention week saw a typically low offering of lambs penned, with a slip in quality seen as a result. Market conditions remained mostly unchanged, and plainer light weight lambs were well represented.

Mutton throughput declined 65%, to 334 head. Demand was steady for all categories, with a mixed quality yarding seen overall.

• Light weight 2 score lambs to processors gained 37¢, to 625¢/kg cwt
• Trade weight 3 score lambs to slaughter averaged 654¢, back 5¢/kg cwt
• Medium weight 3 score Merino ewes were up 15¢, averaging 401¢/kg cwt

At the close of Wednesday’s markets:

• The eastern states restocker lamb indicator averaged 625¢, up 7¢/kg cwt from where it finished the previous day
• Merino lambs were up 5¢, on 549¢/kg cwt
• Light lambs were up 4¢, to 571¢/kg cwt
• Trade lambs were firm, on 639¢/kg cwt
• Heavy lambs were firm, on 643¢/kg cwt
• The mutton indicator gained 1¢, on 387¢/kg cwt

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

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