SHEEP and lamb numbers continued to rise on AuctionsPlus last week, with processors actively seeking supplies, but restockers less willing to buy.

AuctionsPlus sheep and listings lifted by just under 7000 to 76,771 head with New South Wales and South Australian producers offering most of the sale lines.

NSW producers offered 54,619 head, 1600 more than the previous week and South Australians listed 13,314 sheep and lambs, 8159 more. Queensland listed 6139 head, 185 fewer, and Victorian producers are holding onto their numbers, offering 2599 head, 2068 less.

AuctionsPlus said clearance rates felt the impact of the surge in supply, with drops across most stock categories, except for first cross ewes, which were all sold. The Riverina was the top purchasing region, securing more than 10,000 head.

Merino ewe prices drop

Merino ewe lambs sold from $93.50 to $242 and averaged $174.50. The top price was paid for 750 11-12 month-old Merino lambs at Caragabal, NSW. The lambs weighed 55kgs and sold to a Victorian buyer.

Unjoined Merino ewe hoggets averaged $187.50, down $6.50 on the previous week, within a range of $129 to $267. The top price was paid for 265 15-16 month-old Merino hoggets at Balranald, NSW. Young Merino breeders, 2 to 4 years-old, averaged $175, a drop of $35 on last week and made from $120 to $251. The top price was paid for 174 rising three year-old Merino ewes at Kimba, South Australia.

Unjoined proven Merino breeders sold from $90 to $175 and averaged $151, down $59. The top price was paid for 350 Banavie/Charinga blood ewes at Tomingley, NSW.

Scanned in-lamb Merino ewes averaged $141 and made from $114 up to $180 for a line of rising five year-old ewes in lamb to Merino rams at Cudal, NSW.

Processors active on sheep

AuctionsPlus said processor activity was evident in its online sheep sales last week. Their purchases included 16kg carcase weight Sept/Oct 2018 drop Merino wether lambs with a 4cm fleece at Grenfell, NSW, that sold for 660c/kg cwt or $105.

Processors looked into Queensland for mutton, purchasing 19kg 2-3 year-old Merino wethers with a 4cm fleece at Thargomindah, QLD, for 486c/kg or $90. They also bought 5-6 year-old 25kg full wool Merino ewes at Manildra, NSW, for 675c/kg or $170.

Overall, Merino wether lambs averaged $117, down $7, within a range of $57 to $163. The average price for Merino hoggets and grown wethers dropped by $37 to $85 with a price ranged of $54 to $115.

First cross ewe lambs sell to $236

First cross ewe lambs averaged $217 and sold from $150 up to $236 for 440 lambs weighing 46kgs at Nyngan, NSW. Unjoined first cross hoggets and ewes sold from $180 to $250, to average $224. The top price was paid for 215 hoggets weighing 63kgs at Mindarie, SA.

Other online highlights included SAMM Merino ewes and lambs at Orroroo, SA, selling for $280. The rising three year-old ewes had White Suffolk cross lambs weighing an average of 35kgs. At Dubbo, NSW, a line of composite/Merino cross ewes and lambs sold for $233.

New season lamb offering increases

The number of new season store lambs on AuctionsPlus last week rose by 7000 head to 16,800 and about 62pc were sold.

• Apr/May-19 drop, 45kg White Suffolk/Merino Wether Lambs, from Carrathool New South Wales sold for 365/$167
• Mar/May-19 drop, 38kg White Suffolk/Merino Mixed Sex Suckers, from Jabuk South Australia sold for 410/$157
• Apr/May-19 drop, 38kg 2ndX Poll Dorset Mixed Sex Suckers, from Spicers Creek New South Wales sold for 410/$156
• AprMay-19 drop, 39kg Dorset/Merino Mixed Sex Store Lambs, from Condoblin New South Wales sold for 389/$154
• Apr/May-19 drop, 38kg White Suffolk/Merino Wether Lambs, from Carrathool New South Wales sold for 404/$154
• Apr/May-19 drop, 38kg Merino/White Suffolk Mixed Sex Store Lambs, from Condoblin New South Wales sold for 393/$153
• Apr/May-19 drop, 36kg White Suffolk/Poll Merino Mixed Sex Lambs, from Tintinara South Australia sold for 417/$152
• Mar/Apr-19 drop, 37kg 2ndX Poll Dorset Mixed Sex Suckers, from Dubbo New South Wales sold for 402/$150
• May/Jun-19 drop, 37kg 2ndX Poll Dorset Mixed Sex Suckers, from Geurie New South Wales sold for 398/$150
• Mar/Apr-19 drop, 33kg 2ndX Poll Dorset Mixed Sex Store Lambs, from Forbes New South Wales sold for 438/$145
• Apr/May-19 drop, 37kg White Suffolk/Merino Mixed Sex Suckers, from Meringur Victoria sold for 389/$145