Wednesday daily sheep summary

Lamb consignments at Forbes increased 56% this week, to 32,550 head. Supply lifted as a result of the drier conditions, with quality continuing to vary across all categories. Heavy and extra heavy weight lambs were well represented, and the usual field of buyers competed in a cheaper market overall.

Mutton numbers doubled this week, to 6,850 head. Merinos made up the bulk of the yarding, with conditions finishing firm to easier dependant on quality.

• • Light weight 3 score Merino lambs averaged 612¢, back 18¢/kg cwt
  • Trade weight 4 score lambs to processors were back 54¢, to 632¢/kg cwt
  • Heavy weight 4 score lambs to slaughter averaged 630¢, back 44¢/kg cwt
  • Medium weight 3 score Merino ewes were back 23¢, to 380¢/kg cwt  

At Ballarat, lamb throughput declined 11%, to 9,588 head. Quality was average this week, with lighter categories presenting in plainer condition. Most of the regular buyers attended, however some were more selective than others, with lambs generally selling to an easier trend overall.  

Mutton numbers decreased 10%, to 1,840 head. All weights and grades were on offer, and not all the usual buyers operated, with conditions similar week-on-week.

• • Light weight 2 score lambs to processors slipped 76¢, to 537¢/kg cwt
  • Trade weight 3 score lambs to slaughter were back 23¢, to 641¢/kg cwt
  • Heavy weight 4 score lambs averaged 653¢, dropping 58¢/kg cwt
  • Medium weight 2 score Merino ewes lost 33¢, averaging 373¢/kg cwt

At the close of Tuesday’s markets:

• • The eastern states restocker lamb indicator averaged 535¢, back 26¢/kg cwt from where it finished the previous day
  • Merino lambs were back 9¢, on 572¢/kg cwt
  • Light lambs were back 21¢, to 565¢/kg cwt
  • Trade lambs were back 16¢, to 614¢/kg cwt
  • Heavy lambs were back 12¢, to 635¢/kg cwt
  • The mutton indicator eased 4¢, on 389¢/kg cwt

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

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