Wednesday daily sheep summary

At Forbes, lamb throughput increased 10% week-on-week to 22,450 head. Numbers remained fairly similar despite widespread flooding, with quality fair across the new season offering. Both well finished and plainer types were well supplied, and all the usual buyers competed in a cheaper market overall.

Mutton consignments declined 6%, to 5,650 head. Quality was again quite mixed, with Merinos making up the majority and prices notably strong.

• New season light weight 3 score lambs slipped 13¢, to 645¢/kg cwt
• New season trade weight 3 score lambs dropped 17¢, to 643¢/kg cwt
• Old season light weight 3 score lambs sold to 661¢, averaging 633¢/kg cwt
• Medium weight 3 score Merino ewes held firm on 399¢/kg cwt

Consignments at Ballarat increased 66%, to 11,821 head. Quality improved this week, with a lift in new season lamb supplies recorded. Trade and heavy weight sections made up the majority, and the usual buying group operated in a firmer market overall.

Sheep numbers increased 14%, to 3,770 head. All weights and grades were on offer this week, with the market trending dearer.

• New season light weight 2 score lambs averaged 619¢/kg cwt
• New season trade weight 3 score lambs averaged 618¢/kg cwt
• Old season light weight 2 score first-cross lambs 545¢/kg cwt
• Medium weight 2 score first-cross ewes averaged 398¢/kg cwt

At the close of Tuesday’s markets:

• The eastern states restocker lamb indicator dropped 32¢, to 634¢/kg cwt
• Merino lambs were back 5¢, on 537¢/kg cwt
• Light lambs were 2¢ lower, on 593¢/kg cwt
• Trade lambs were down 2¢, on 612¢/kg cwt
• Heavy lambs were back 6¢, to 601¢/kg cwt
• The mutton indicator settled 4¢ higher, on 400¢/kg cwt

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

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