SHEEP and lamb numbers skyrocketed on AuctionsPlus last week, as conditions continue to dry off across the country.
Producers looking to lighten-off their stocking rates heading into Autumn pushed listings nation-wide out to 128,542 head, an increase of 82 percent or 58,468 head increase on the previous week.
Young Merino ewe prices were up, ranging from $90.50 to $270 a head and averaging $164.
The top price in this age group went to a line of 420 18-month-old, Baderloo blood ewes from Jamestown, SA. These ewes averaged 61kg with an inch and a half skin and are not station mated.
Proven Merino breeders averaged $159 and topped at $216 last week. The top price was for Wilcannia, NSW Baderloo & Mernowie blood ewes scanned in lamb.
Older ewe numbers last week increased again on previous sales. Prices ranged from $78.50 to $200 for average of $149.
Merino wether lamb prices ranged from $58 to $130 to average $95. The top price of $130 went to a line of Pooginook blood lambs from Eurongilly, NSW, 7-8 months averaging 50kg, and carrying an inch and a half skin.
Merino wether hoggets averaged $108 with the top price of $130 going to a line from Warren, NSW. These wethers were 19-20 months old and averaged 58kg with a inch and a half skin.
In a breakdown of store lamb sales last week, by weight:
- Lambs less than 30kg made $72 to $92.50 to average $82.5 or 353c live
- Lambs 30-35kg made $83 to $122 to average $101.6 or 310c live
- Lambs 35-40kg made $70 to $128 to average $110 or 327c live
- Lambs +40kg made $93 to $132 to average $123 or 293c live.
Breeding sheep
First cross ewes were in high demand this week, as producers try to secure fat lamb breeders, with ewe lambs making up the majority of these listings.
Prices ranged from $102.50 to $235 to average $163. The top price went to a line of future breeder lambs from Jabuk, SA. These 8-9 month old ewe lambs averaged 61kg and are unjoined. Young first-cross ewes averaged $193, with the top price of $278 going to a line from Shepparton, VIC. These two and a half year old ewes averaged 71kg and have been scanned in lamb to Poll Dorset rams.
Old first cross ewes ranged from $160 to $203, averaging $181.
From March, listing lambs in AuctionsPlus Lamb Sales will be optional.
“Over the past three months prices have been consistently stronger in the lamb sales when compared to Eastern States Tuesday and Thursday sales. Buyers have also enjoyed being able to establish a national market floor as well as the opportunity to purchase large volumes of lambs.” AuctionsPlus said.
Mandatory listing of lambs in Lamb Sales will recommence in September.
Source: AuctionsPlus
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