These mixed sex March 2024 drop Merino lambs weighing 45.2kg lwt at Naradine in New South Wales sold for $140 on AuctionsPlus last week.

LAMB prices lifted in all categories but the crossbred category as listings reduced on AuctionsPlus last week.

AuctionsPlus said its commercial sheep and lamb listings felt a squeeze with the offering of 68,819 head, 37 fewer than the previous week.

The sheep and lamb market experienced some fluctuation, with clearance rates dipping to 66pc, reflecting softer buyer demand, AuctionsPlus said. The crossbred lamb indicator dropped by 5pc to $118/head, while the restocker lamb indicator saw a slight lift, averaging 664c/kg dressed.

The overall clearance rate dropped 4pc to finish the week at 66pc after post-sale negotiations. The clearance rate at auction was 46pc, indicating plenty of post-sale transactions took place.

The value over reserve held steady to the week prior, maintaining an average of $9/head over set reserves.

AuctionsPlus said the new season lamb offerings fell in comparison to the climb in numbers the previous week. Producers offered 46,280 head, compared to 74,910 the previous week. This category made up 67pc of the total yarding and achieved a 74pc clearance rate, remaining relatively stable from last week’s clearance rate of 76pc for new season lambs.

Listings were down across Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. However, NSW is maintained its run as the greatest listing state with 44,614 head listed.

Central Western NSW was the strongest listing region, with 14,797 head listed from the area making up 22pc of the week’s sheep and lamb yarding.

AuctionsPlus offered 31,806 crossbred lambs, down from 47,779 head the previous week, with the average price decreasing $5 to $118/head.

At Millthorpe in NSW, 40 three year-old first cross ewes weighing 60kg sold for $300/head, or 500c/kg lwt, to a buyer in Shadforth, NSW.

First cross ewe lamb prices continued to increase, rising an additional $12/head to average $163/head. The clearance rate was 65pc. At Deniliquin in NSW, 110 June 2023 drop ewe lambs weighing 67kg made $254/head, or 380c/kg lwt, with a buyer in Casterton, Victoria.

AuctionsPlus said although a smaller yarding was listed, it was a strong week for Merino wether lambs with 92pc of the 10,478 offered averaging $97, up $10. At Hay in NSW, 730 June 2024 drop Merino wethers weighing 43kg lwt sold for $124, or 286c/kg, to a buyer in Port Adelaide, South Australia.

Note: Prices as at 5pm Thursday, October 10, 2024.

Source – AuctionsPlus.