These Poll Dorset cross lambs averaging 40.1kg lwt sold for $130 at Brewongle in NSW on AuctionsPlus last week.

LAMBS and joined ewes met steady demand in the first week of commercial sheep sales on AuctionsPlus in 2023.

AuctionsPlus offered 23,344 head in its first Tuesday sheep and lamb sales for the year.

Clearance rates were subdued for unjoined ewes, as hot weather and the holiday atmosphere influenced sentiment.

The National Lamb sale offered 17,027 head offered in 40 lots, and a 65 percent clearance was achieved in the auction.

Most of the 15,546 lambs offered were crossbreds and a 45pc clearance was achieved. Prices ranged from $90-$149 and averaged $127. At Carcoar in New South Wales, 275 mixed sex Poll Dorset cross lambs weighing 37kg lwt sold for $149.

Composite/other breed lambs sold from $100-$123, to average $114, and all of the 440 head offered were sold. At Karabeal in Victoria, 275 Primeline store wether lambs made $123. The lambs were aged 6-8 months old and averaged 40kg lwt.

The National Sheep Sale offered 6317 head in 34 lots. AuctionsPlus sold 38pc up to the close of the auction.

Joined first cross ewes averaged $256 and all of the 684 head offered were sold. Topping the category at $257 were 228 2.5 year-old ewes weighing 66kg lwt.

Scanned in-lamb Merino ewes averaged $160 and the 652 head offered were sold. A line of 652 six year-old Merino ewes sold in two lines at Leeton, NSW, weighing 54kg lwt, made $160.

Unjoined Merino ewe hoggets averaged $220 for the 933 head offered, but only 23pc were sold. At Mangoplah in NSW, 216 16-17 month-old Merino hoggets weighing 57kg lwt sold for $220.

The largest sheep category was the 1092 unjoined composite/other breed ewes. They averaged $135 and 22pc were sold.