These unjoined 18 month-old October shorn Merino ewes at Young in NSW sold for $430 on AuctionsPlus last week.

AUCTIONSPLUS’ sheep and lamb offering more than doubled last week, dominated again by new season lamb offerings.

In the second week of AuctionsPlus commercial sheep and lamb sales for 2022, the offering rose 107 percent to 84,104 head, 27pc higher than the corresponding week in 2021.

New season lambs accounted for 61pc of the offerings for the week, with mixed results across the six main categories. Top purchasing regions for the week included New South Wale’s Central West with 13,996 head and south-west Victoria with 11,340 head

Crossbred lambs accounted for 25pc of total numbers, with the 20,953 head offered meeting robust demand to achieve a 92pc clearance rate. Prices ranged from $90-$205/head, to average $155/head, down $2.

South-west Victorian producers offered a large proportion of the crossbred lambs, with a highlight including 1440 head of Poll Dorset cross sex store lambs from Timboon in Victoria. The August/September 2021 drop lambs averaged 44.9kg liveweight and were sold in three lines for $183-$184.

Smaller Merino wether offering

The 7082 Merino wether lambs offered represented 8pc of the catalogue. While the smaller offering contributed to the 100pc clearance rate, the average price for the category slipped back $13 to $134.

The average price for the 13,070 composite/other breed lambs offered dropped $15 to $185, with a clearance rate of 76pc.

First cross ewe lamb prices improve

Price improved for the 8031 first cross ewe lambs offered, to range from $135-$381 and average $242, up $40. A highlight was 300 future breeder April-May 2021 drop lambs at Boorowa, NSW, that made $352, $50 over their reserve price. The October shorn lambs weighed 54.4kg lwt.

Joined ewe rates hold firm and unjoined prices lift

A small contingent of joined ewes was offered online. The 2002 station mated shedding breed ewes, averaged $303 for a 91pc clearance rate. The 1962 scanned in-lamb Merino ewes all sold for an average price of $272, back $3. A highlight was 300 Pooginook blood maiden ewes at Gilgandra, NSW, joined to Border Leicester rams that made $361. The 19-20 month-old ewes averaged 66.4kg liveweight.

The average price for the 7249 unjoined Merino ewes offered rose $35 to $213 and a clearance of 83pc was achieved. The 3926 unjoined Merino ewe hoggets averaged $280. A quality offering was 445 October shorn Bundilla blood Poll Merino ewes at Young, NSW, that weighed 59.6kg and made $430, $50 above their reserve.

NOTE: Prices as at 5pm, Thursday 13th January 2022.