These April-may drop Merino wether lambs, 18.2kg cwt and mostly score 3, sold for $121 at Jerilderie, NSW, on AuctionsPlus yesterday.

NEW season lamb prices held firm to slightly dearer in New South Wales earlier this week as less supplies were available in saleyards due to the public holiday on Monday and wet conditions.

In Victoria, the National Livestock Reporting Service reported new season lamb prices as generally firm to easier, with the lamb offering lifting about 25 percent at Ballarat.

Young lamb rates also dropped in South Australia, $4 lower on all but the heavy lambs at Dublin and $2-8 easier for young trade drafts at Naracoorte.

However, despite fluctuations in slaughter lamb rates around supply, strong demand from restockers and exporters continues to stoke prices for light 12-18kg new season lambs.

In New South Wales on Tuesday, light young lambs with $1-$8 skins made $65-$127, or 450-733c/kg. The light and medium trades with $1-$8 skins sold for $111-$151, or 545-668c/kg. The 22.1-24kg trade lambs with $6-$8 skins sold from $139-$165, or 570-654c/kg, and heavy lambs over 24.1kg with $7-$8 skins made $150-$180, or 581-672c/kg.

In Victoria, 12.1-18kg new season lambs with skins valued at up to $6 made $80-$119.20, or 500-657c/kg. The 18.1-22kg young trade lambs with $1-$7 skins sold for $108-$145, or 537-645c/kg. The 22.1-24kg young lambs with $2-$7 skins sold from $126.60-$156, or 542-622c/kg, and the heavy 24.1kg-plus drafts with $6-$8 skins made $142-$183.20, or 540-620c/kg.

In South Australia on Tuesday, light young lambs with $1-$6 skins made $60-$130, or 421-700c/kg. The light and medium trade new season lambs with $1-$7 skins sold for $90-$138, or 458-623c/kg. The 22.1-24kg lambs with $1-$7 skins sold from $122-$168, or 500-683c/kg. Heavy 24kg-plus lines with $4-$8 skins generally made $152-$174, or 539-644c/kg.

NLRS light, restocker and Merino indicators improve

Although the NLRS, did not quantify the changes in the Eastern States Daily Indicators due to the public holidays around the weekend in the eastern states, after Tuesday’s saleyard sales, the light, restocking and Merino lamb indicators continued to improve, while the ,main slaughter categories lost ground.

After Tuesday’s saleyard sales, the ESDIs for lambs were: restocker 656c/kg; Merino 554c/kg; light 603c/kg; trade 590c/kg; heavy 589c/kg. The national trade lamb indicator was sitting on 591c/kg and the heavy indice closed at 590c/kg.

The mutton indicators improved this week, with the ESDI at 417c/kg and the national indicator at 414c/kg.

Over-the-hook indicators easing

In NSW, the NLRS said over-the-hook lamb indicators eased slightly this week after supply levels lifted before the long weekend. Mutton rates across all weight ranges remained unchanged.

In Victoria, the NLRS said light and trade weight lamb over-the-hook indicators eased 10-15c/kg cwt week-on-week, while heavy weight categories were steady. Mutton indicators remained unchanged on last week’s levels, with medium weight averaging 367c/kg cwt.

In South Australia, the NLRS said trade weight lamb over-the-hook indicators averaged 537c/kg cwt this week, while those over 24kg averaged 523c/kg cwt. The medium weight mutton indicator averaged 344c/kg cwt. No trend was reported this week due a contributor resuming to quote.

Over-the-hook lamb and sheep rates for Western Australia and Tasmania were generally unchanged.

Forbes’ trade lambs sell firm to $3 dearer

In New South Wales at the Forbes saleyards on Tuesday, the agents yarded 15,460 lambs, 6990 fewer than last week, and 4400 sheep, 1250 less.

The NLRS said lamb quality was fair and similar to previous sales. Agents yarded 7900 new season lambs, including a good number of fresh finished lambs and a few plainer drier types. The usual buyers competed in a slightly dearer market.

Light new season lambs lifted $2-$3 to $114-$127. Trade weights were also firm to $3 better at $125-$151. Heavy and extra heavy lambs lifted $4-$5, with heavy lambs selling from $154-$165. Extra heavies made $160-$176. Carcase prices were mostly 638-653c/kg.

Old light lambs sold from $106-$120. Trade weights made $121-$148. Heavy and extra heavy weight old lambs sold from $150-$183.

The mixed quality sheep were mostly Merinos. Prices were dearer, with Merino ewes selling from $80-$120. Crossbred ewes sold from $80-$137 and Merino wethers made $93-$132.

Deniliquin lambs sell to $180

At the Deniliquin saleyards on Tuesday, the agents yarded 8466 lambs, 2272 more than two weeks ago, and 2032 sheep, 43 more.

The NLRS said the number of lambs increased despite ongoing wet conditions. With almost 7300 young lambs offered, quality remained good, with little seed appearing in skins yet. All the regular buyers attended and competition from domestic processors was very keen.

Trade weight lambs sold at stronger carcase weight levels than at recent prime markets. However, as Deniliquin is a fortnightly sale, actual price quotes in the report show some price corrections on the last sale a fortnight ago.

The limited selection of heavy weight young lambs sold to $180, with the next best price $171. Most of the lambs were 20-25kg cwt trade weights and mostly made $128-$158, as cwt price averages for most grades pushed above 590c/kg. The pick of the heavy trade weight lambs, around 24kg, sold to an estimated 610c/kg. The main runs of light weight slaughter lambs sold from $104-$120, with only odd pens selling to restockers. A line of very small and young unshorn Merino lambs sold from $40-$85 to restockers and processors wanting lean and light lambs for MK kill orders. A local restocker paid $153 for a pen of young first cross ewe lambs as replacement breeders.

Sheep prices strengthened for the limited number. Most sheep were in smaller lots, with only a few bigger lines of shorn Merino ewes available. Prices reached $148 for heavy weight full wool Merino ewes. A very small pen of extra heavy crossbreds made $145. The leaner trade weight mutton recorded the best cwt prices.

Bendigo’s heavy young lambs average $4-$6 lower

In Victoria at the Bendigo saleyards on Monday, the agents yarded 16,912 lambs, 63 more than last week, and 2209 sheep, 4095 fewer.

The NLRS said the ongoing wet weather is still affecting supply and extending the run of good prices into October. Most of the yarding were young lambs and quality remained good, with most presenting in score 3 and 4 condition due to the favourable season. However, buyers observed a couple of pens with skins embedded with corkscrew seed and while it didn’t overly impact price today they expect it to become a much bigger issue in the weeks ahead. All the usual buyers operated in a market that fluctuated and was underpinned by domestic demand rather than export bidding for heavier weights.

Prices for the heaviest young lambs over 26kg averaged $4-$6 easier, while the main runs of trade lambs recorded results within a couple of dollars of last week. Light lambs, which remain in limited supply, were dearer again. Price averages trended above 600c/kg for young lambs under about 18kg cwt. The market reached a top of $183 for a pen of extra heavy young lambs estimated at 30kg. Then there were about 20 sales from $162-$176 for drafts weighing 26-28kg cwt. The main runs of well finished trade weight lambs sold from $132-$155. In percentage terms, young lambs in the 22-24kg weight bracket were the most numerous and averaged about $141. Specialist restockers from Ballarat and Gippsland paid from $118-$132 for bigger lambs, while smaller store lambs sold mainly to local competition at $110-$116. A selection of lightweight young Merino lambs benefited from keen processor demand to make $107-$117.

Sheep prices were noticeably dearer, particularly for light and lean mutton, which gained $12-$19. Extra heavy crossbred ewes starting to display plenty of weight due to good spring feed made $125-$150, and it should be noted these old ewes are. The highlight of the mutton sale was recently shorn trade weight Merinos which sold from $95-$115, to average an estimated 450c/kg cwt.

Ballarat’s young lambs firm to easier

At the Ballarat saleyards on Tuesday, the agents yarded 16,178 lambs, 4357 more than last week, and 3165 sheep, 605 fewer.

The NLRS said lamb quality was good, considering the wet conditions of the past few weeks. The usual buyers attended.

More young lambs were yarded and sold firm to a few dollars easier, mostly for the heavier trade weights. Several pens of quality heavy young lambs made $170-$180. The trade weight lambs sold from $133-$156 and averaged around 595-600c/kg. Lighter lambs sold to the trade for $92-$118 to be mostly firm. Restocker interest was strong on the lighter drafts which made $106-$119 and from $85-$100. Light weight 2 score lambs sold from $92-$105. Light trade 2 and 3 score lambs made $100-$135 and averaged around 620c/kg. Trade weight 3 and 4 score lambs sold from $133-$145 and heavier drafts made $140-$156, or 580-630c/kg to average around 600c/kg. Heavy 3 and 4 score lambs sold from $153-$180 and averaged close to 600c/kg. Small runs of old trade weight lambs made $160-$128. Heavy hoggets sold from $95-$146.

Most of the regular buyers operated in the stronger sheep market which comprised all weights and grades. Heavy Merino wethers made to $131. Light weight 1 and 2 score sheep sold from $53-$98. Medium weight 2 and 3 score sheep made $80-$126, or 390-500c/kg. Merino mutton averaged around 465c/kg. Heavy 3-5 score crossbred sheep sold from $95-$139 and crossbred wethers selling made $108-$147. Heavy Merino ewes sold from $111-$122. Heavy Merino wethers made $104-$131 and the medium weights sold for $96.20-$104.50, to average around 440-460c/kg.

Dublin’s heavy lambs sell firm

At the South Australian Livestock Exchange at Dublin on Tuesday, the agents yarded 7000 lambs, 5080 fewer than last week, and 1000 sheep, 3622 less.

The NLRS said sheep and lamb numbers fell due to storm activity. The usual trade and processor buyers attended, along with restocker orders seeking supply. Quality fell slightly, with the new season lambs lacking the weight and condition of last week.

Lamb prices fell by $4 on all but the heavy weights. Light weight lambs sold to the trade for $78-$110 and restockers paid $40-$110. Air freight light weight trade 2 and 3 score lambs made $78-$108 and restockers paid to $108. Trade weight 3 score lambs sold from $90-$138, down $4, at an average of 556c/kg. Heavy new season lambs made $125-$168 to remain firm.

Light old lambs sold from $48-$102, trade weight 3 score types made $90-$125 and the few heavy weights sold for $115-$130.

Some excellent quality heavy weight sheep were offered. Light weight hoggets sold from $48-$86, and medium and heavy weights made $88-$120. Light weight ewes sold from $55-$60 and the medium types made $60-$80. Heavy ewes mostly sold from $80-$115. A restocker paid $150 for ewes with a full fleece. Light weight wethers made $76-$98 and heavies to $148. Rams made from $65-$122.

Naracoorte’s young trade lambs ease $2-$8

At the Naracoorte saleyards on Tuesday, the agents yarded 6038 lambs, 2670 more than last week, and 2089 sheep, 190 more.

The NLRS said mostly new season young lambs were yarded. Quality was good for the usual buyers and some extra domestic competition.

Trade weight young lambs sold $2-$8 lower than last week, while the heavier export lambs remained close to firm. Heavy new season young lambs reached $174. Keen restockers from Ballarat paid $118-$129.50 and $93-$120 for lighter lots. Light weight 2 score lambs sold from $80-$100. Light trade 2 and 3 score lambs made $96-$128, averaging around 590c/kg. Trade weight 3 and 4 score lambs sold from $125-$155, or 550-620c/kg, to average around 585c/kg. Heavy 3 and 4 score lambs sold from $152-$174 and averaged around 600c/kg. Heavy old lambs made from $111-$122, and heavy hoggets sold to $120.

The sheep included all weights and grades. They sold to strong demand to be $5-$10 dearer and more in places. Heavy Merino ewes sold to $125. Light weight 1 and 2 score sheep sold from $63-$85. Medium weight 2 and 3 score sheep made $91-$112. Merino mutton averaged around 440c/kg. Heavy Merino ewes sold from $107-$125 and heavy crossbreds made $101-$132.

Muchea’s trade lambs sell firm to $4 dearer

In Western Australia at the Muchea saleyards on Tuesday, the agents yarded 3141 lambs, 1159 fewer than last week, and 4800 sheep, 948 more.

The NLRS said lamb quality remained good, with most being lighter weight drafts, but there were some good heavy trade drafts.

Prices for lighter lambs suitable for live export and air freight processors moved higher. Most of the trade weight drafts sold firm to $4 dearer than last week. Light weight lamb made $40-$94, with the better drafts selling to live export and processor buyers lifting $2 to average close to $84. Trade lamb prices lifted $1-$4 to $82-$108 due to numbers and live export demand. Heavy lambs sold to $108.

The sheep included some longer wool ewe drafts and most were in good condition. Ewe prices were lifted by restocker demand and drafts of young Dorper ewes sold for $75-$108. Young Merino ewes made to $92 and mature restocker drafts sold for $68-$93. Medium weight ewes sold to $4 dearer to processors at $55-$74. The better conditioned and heavy weight ewes were almost $5 dearer at $65-$97. Wether numbers were small, but they sold well with live export orders active. Heavy wethers made $90-$124 or $90-$105 for bare shorn lines, up $3. Lighter drafts were $4 dearer and made $70-$100 to export or export feeders. Rams also received solid export demand, with ram lambs making $78-$93 and other young rams $50-$86. Old rams sold to processors for $30-$59.

Tasmanian lambs sell to $148

In the northern Tasmanian saleyards at Powranna and Killafaddy on Tuesday, the agents yarded 300 lambs, 75 fewer than last week, and 90 sheep, 185 less.

The NLRS said the yarding was mostly old lambs and quality was mixed. The market was similar, with most trade lambs making $119-$132 and heavy pens $130-$148. An odd pen of light export lambs made $85-$100.

The sheep were mainly heavy crossbred ewes and all sold to strong export demand. Very light ewes made $50-$68 and heavy ewes $101-$105.

Source: MLA, NLRS, AuctionsPlus.