These May-June 2024 drop mixed sex White Suffolk-Merino cross lambs weighing 40.7kg at Nyngan in NSW sold for $155 on AuctionsPlus last week.

NEW season lamb prices lifted slightly on AuctionsPlus last week and 77 percent of the 46,400 head offered were sold.

AuctionsPlus said the lambs made up 58pc of all commercial sheep and lamb listings last week and averaged $120, lifting $3 per head.

Overall commercial sheep and lamb listings rose by 9pc to 79,436 head. However, the larger offering was met with subdued competition and the overall clearance fell to 66pc. Value over reserve held steady from last week to average $10.

The crossbred lamb indicator fell by 1pc to average $129 and the restocker lamb indicator also softened, averaging 675c/kg dressed.

AuctionsPlus general manager – network, Paul Holm, believes that overall, the lamb market was positive with close to 80pc of lots sold after post-auction negotiations.

“Up to 50pc of post-sale negotiations were to a level of the preset reserve, which would indicate strong demand from buyers.

“On top of the fact, that 90pc of lots received a bid during auction,” Mr Holm said.

Just over 10pc of lots in the Tuesday National Lamb Sale received no bids. AuctionsPlus found that when reserves are set more realistically and conservatively, vendors are more likely to attract stronger market competition and achieve better results.

The average price for the 6156 Merino ewe lambs offered increased $1 to $68 and 95pc were sold.

New South Wales retained its position as the top listing state, finishing with 33,391 head offered—an increase of 1480 head.

South Australia followed as the second-largest listing state, with a significant rise in listings, up by 6822 head to 23,425.

Purchasing activity also rose in the southern states. Victorian buyers bought 20,915, up 4836 head. The purchasing volume out of NSW declined by 8405 head to 19,230.

At Ariah Park in NSW, 216 mixed sex June 2024 drop Poll Dorset cross lambs weighing 45kg lwt sold for $171/head, or 381c/kg lwt, to a buyer in Griffith, NSW.

At Willalooka in South Australia, 164 April 2024 drop Australian White ewe lambs weighing 44kg lwt made $260, or 586c/kg lwt, with a buyer in Tintinara, SA.

At Apsley in Victoria, 250 July 2024 drop Primeline ewe lambs weighing 47kg lwt sold for $230, or 485c/kg, to a buyer in Kaniva, Victoria.

Source – AuctionsPlus.