ONLINE sheep and lamb trading surged on AuctionsPlus last week as more new season lambs were offered and northern sellers continued to destock due to seasonal  conditions.

AuctionsPlus listings rose about 24,000 to 100,854 head, including 17,000 new season Merino wether lambs and 9500 crossbred suckers.

A large percentage of the offering came from the Riverina and central west New South Wales, but all states offered increased numbers.

AuctionsPlus operations manager Tom Rookyard said buyers in southern New South Wales and Victoria continued to dominate buying, with 20,273 head selling into the Riverina, and 19,220 head into Victoria.

The other main buying areas were: central western NSW 9132 head, NSW’s north and south-west slopes and plains 8141, south-east South Australia 8240 and SA’s central and hills region 2116.

Merino ewe lambs sell to $240

Merino ewe lambs sold from $62 to $240, averaging $145, down $29 on the previous week. Unjoined Merino ewe hoggets averaged $189, up $2, and sold from $100 up to $265 for a line 12-13 month-old ewes weighing 53kg at Bethungra, NSW. Proven Merino breeders averaged $152, holding firm on last week, and sold from $81 to $247. Highlights included five year-old unjoined Merino ewes at Wellington, NSW selling for $247; 13-14 month-old Poll Merino hoggets at Hay, NSW, making $204; and 12-14 month-old Merino hoggets at Toolleen, Victoria, selling for $192.

Producers sold 82pc of the 17,000 new season Merino wether lambs offered last week. The sold from $81 to $157 and averaged $122, up $5. A line of April/June 2019 drop wether lambs weighing 45kg at Ivanhoe, NSW, sold for $147. A line of April/May 2019 drop wethers lambs weighing 45kg at Tambo, Queensland, sold to a New South Wales buyer for $142, and some April/June 2019 drop lambs weighing 40kg at Kimba, South Australia, sold for $138. Grown Merino wethers and hoggets sold from $70 to $100, holding firm at an average of $81.

Mutton processors were active

Processors were active this week with light and trade lamb and mutton orders to fill. May-shorn, old Merino lambs from Cooma weighing 19-25kg dressed sold from $141-$157, or 628-755c/kg cwt, including skin value.

Unjoined first cross ewes sell to $237

Producers offered 4300 first cross ewes and ewe lambs on AuctionsPlus last week. Ewe lamb sold from $202 to $246 and averaged $217, firm on the previous week. Unjoined first cross hoggets and ewes made $180 to $237 and averaged $210, down $14.

New season lamb offering increases

The online offering of new season lambs last week rose by 10,000 head to 26,500 head, and 84pc were sold. Highlights included:

• Poll Dorset cross, 42kg, 414c/kg, $175, April/May 2019 drop, Naracoorte, SA
• Poll Dorset cross, 42kg, 372c/kg, $157, April/May 2019 drop, Yeoval, NSW
• Poll Dorset cross, 38kg, 407c/kg, $157, April/May 2019 drop, Wagga Wagga, NSW
• Poll Dorset cross, 39kg, 393c/kg, $156, April/May 2019, Marrar, NSW
• Poll Dorset cross, 39kg, 391c/kg, $155, April/May 2019, Marrar, NSW
• White Suffolk cross, 36kg, 412c/kg, $150, March/April 2019 drop, Hawkesdale, VIC
• Poll Dorset cross, 34kg, 439c/kg, $149.50, June/July 2019 drop, Ariah Park, NSW
• Poll Dorset cross, 35kg, 422c/kg, $149, May/June 2019 drop, Cowra, NSW
• White Suffolk cross, 36kg, 404c/kg, $147, May/June 2019 drop, Hillston, NSW
• Poll Dorset cross, 35kg, 406c/kg, $146, May/June 2019 drop, Grenfell, NSW