Tuesday daily sheep summary

Lamb consignments at Dubbo declined 29% this week, to 27,700 head. It was a good quality yarding, with both trade and heavy weights well represented. A few pens of new season lines in good condition were also well supplied, with the market mostly dearer overall.

Mutton numbers decreased 22%, to 5,600 head. Quality varied across all categories, with most grades trending cheaper.

• Light weight 2 score lambs averaged 525¢, back 52¢/kg cwt
• Trade weight 3 score lambs to processors were up 25¢, to 638¢/kg cwt
• Heavy weight 4 score lambs averaged 34¢ higher, at 655¢/kg cwt
• Medium weight 3 score Merino ewes were back 31¢, to 371¢/kg cwt

At Bendigo, lamb throughput declined 30%, to 7,223 head. In what was the smallest yarding so far this winter, quality was mixed. A few drafts of grain finished lines were penned, with the market dearer overall. Wet weather continued to have an effect on the movement of stock, resulting in improved demand from the regular buyers.

Mutton numbers increased 83%, to 3,176 head. Not all the usual buyers operated, with the market finishing cheaper week-on-week.

• Light weight 2 score first-cross lambs averaged 584¢, up 19¢/kg cwt
• Trade weight 3 score lambs to processors were back 4¢, at 652¢/kg cwt
• Extra heavy weight 3 score lambs averaged 21¢ higher, at 643¢/kg cwt
• Medium weight 2 score Merino ewes eased 29¢, averaging 367¢/kg cwt

At the close of Monday’s markets:

• The eastern states restocker lamb indicator averaged 527¢, up 7¢/kg cwt from where it finished the previous day
• Merino lambs were up 1¢, on 561¢/kg cwt
• Light lambs were back 1¢, to 546¢/kg cwt
• Trade lambs were up 5¢, on 612¢/kg cwt
• Heavy lambs were up 5¢, to 628¢/kg cwt
• The mutton indicator eased 2¢, on 382¢/kg cwt

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

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