Thursday daily sheep summary

At CTLX, lamb supplies declined 16% to 5,700 head. It was a very plain quality yarding this week, with only a handful of well finished lambs penned. Merino lines were well represented however, and the market mostly firm to cheaper overall.

Mutton numbers decreased 49%, to 1,100 head. Crossbred ewes made up the majority of the yarding, with most grades selling similar week-on-week.

• Light weight 2 score old lambs gained 10¢, averaging 515¢/kg cwt
• Trade weight 3 score old lambs to slaughter eased 41¢, to 506¢/kg cwt
• Heavy weight 4 score old lambs averaged 28¢ lower, at 549¢/kg cwt
• Heavy weight 4 score first-cross ewes were up 1¢, at 338¢/kg cwt

Hamilton lamb throughput increased 16%, to 1,517 head. Quality across older lines dropped this week, with not all of the usual field of buyers operating in a subdued market overall. Trade weights were limited in selection, with many lacking finish.

Mutton supply increased 49%, to 1,211 head. A typical winter yarding of sheep were penned, with most categories holding firm and others marginally dearer.  

• Light weight 2 score old restocker Merino lambs averaged 370¢/kg cwt
• Light weight 2 score old lambs to slaughter were back 27¢, at 504¢/kg cwt
• Trade weight 3 score old lambs to slaughter eased 47¢, to 531¢/kg cwt
• Heavy weight 4 score first-cross ewes gained 11¢, on 356¢/kg cwt

At the close of Wednesday’s markets:

• The eastern states restocker lamb indicator eased 5¢, to 565¢/kg cwt
• Merino lambs were back 1¢ on 492¢/kg cwt
• Light lambs were back 1¢, to 526¢/kg cwt
• Trade lambs were back 4¢, on 577¢/kg cwt
• Heavy lambs held firm, on 589¢/kg cwt
• The mutton indicator gained 2¢, 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.