Wednesday daily sheep summary

Lamb numbers at Forbes declined 19% this week, to 11,700 head. Quality was very mixed, with a large percentage of the offering continuing to show signs of dryness, while some pens presented in notable condition. Most of the usual buyers were present and competed in a softer market overall.

Mutton consignments increased 19%, to 5,950 head. Merinos made up most of the offering, with quality mixed across all categories and prices holding firm to marginally easier.

• Old season light weight 2 score lambs to restockers slipped 30¢, to 625¢/kg cwt
• Old season trade weight 3 score lambs to processors were up 14¢, to 524¢/kg cwt
• Old season extra heavy weight 4 score lambs averaged 30¢ lower, at 524¢/kg cwt
• Medium weight 3 score Merino ewes dropped 11¢, averaging 370¢/kg cwt

Throughput at CVLX Ballarat increased 35%, to 57,057 head. Quality was good once again, with the biggest offering of lambs recorded in quite some time. The usual buying group operated selectively in a cheaper market, with trade and heavy sections trending lower week-on-week.

Sheep numbers increased 18%, to 11,656 head. All weights and grades were on offer, with some good drafts of heavy Merino and crossbred lines penned.

• New season light weight 2 score lambs to restockers dropped 23¢, to 549¢/kg cwt
• New season trade weight 3 score lambs to slaughter were back 21¢, to 486¢/kg cwt
• New season heavy weight 4 score lambs to processors slipped 16¢, to 490¢/kg cwt
• Medium weight 3 score Merino ewes were up 3¢, averaging 404¢/kg cwt

At the close of Tuesday’s markets:

• The eastern states restocker lamb indicator finished 1¢ lower, at 601¢/kg cwt
• Merino lambs eased 8¢, to 473¢/kg cwt
• Light lambs slipped 8¢, to 560¢/kg cwt
• Trade lambs were back 4¢, to 504¢/kg cwt
• Heavy lambs eased 4¢, to 499¢/kg cwt
• The mutton indicator settled 1¢ lower, at 383¢/kg cwt

For the full list of sheep market reports, please click here                                  Note: All yardings and prices referenced are from MLA reported saleyards.