NEW South Wales producers enduring continuing dry conditions offered 28,000 sheep and lambs on AuctionsPlus last week.

The NSW listings were 70 percent of the national offering of 39,866 sheep and lambs last week, down 5500.

AuctionsPlus said the Easter long weekend had affected listings and buying activity was also down.

The number of store lambs offered online was solid at 8500 head and the Merino ewe listings were also significant, totalling 11,000 head.

Clearance success for young Merino ewe breeders was limited as most producers have joined and are looking for an Autumn break. The top price of $138.50 was paid for a line at Wellington, NSW, weighing 45kg.

Scanned Merino ewes to $227

Merino hoggets sold to $221 for a line of Poll Merino ewes scanned in-lamb to Merino rams, weighing 57kg with a 6cm-plus fleece, at Western Flat, South Australia. A line of three year-old Poll Merino ewes scanned in-lamb to White Suffolk rams, weighing 63kg and with 6.5cm fleece sold for $227 at Bordertown, SA.

Older Merino breeders were sought after and averaged $147, an increase of $30 on the previous week’s average. Quality was varied, and prices ranged from $75-$195. The top price was paid for a line of 5-6 year-old ewes scanned in-lamb to White Suffolk rams, weighing 75kgs and with a 6.5cm wool length at Bordertown, SA.

Merino wethers sell to $110

Merino wether numbers remained solid, with 6,000 head lambs offered. Buying was strong and widespread from Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and SA. A a good clearance of 60pc was recorded, given the market, AuctionsPlus said. The wether lamb lots averaged $84, back $14 on last week. Top price of $110 was paid for a line of Poll Merino wether lambs weighing 40kg with a 4cm fleece, at Struan, SA.

First cross ewe lambs and hoggets scarce

First cross ewe lambs and hoggets were in short supply after the good numbers of the previous week and only 6000 were offered. AuctionsPlus said those offered recorded strong results, including $150 for a line of 9-12 month-old ewes weighing 48kgs lwt, at Forbes, NSW.

The top price for first cross ewe hoggets was $150 for a line scanned in-lamb to Southdown rams, weighing 47kg lwt at from Warrayure, VIC.

Strong prices were made for older first cross ewes as they averaged $207 and sold to a top of $300 for a line of 70kg ewes at Mumbannar in Victoria that were scanned in-lamb to Poll Dorset rams.

Store lamb highlights

2nd cross Suffolk/Coopworth/Merino mixed sex lambs, Jul/Aug 17 drop, 57kg from Nile, TAS, $163

1st Cross Poll Dorset/Dohne mixed sex lambs, Jun/Jul 17 drop, 47kg from Dubbo NSW, $141

2nd Cross White Suffolk/Border Leicester/Merino mixed sex lambs, Sept 17 drop, 41kg from Rylstone, NSW, $136.50

2nd Cross Poll Dorset/Border Leicester/Merino mixed sex lambs, Sept/Oct 17 drop, 39kg from Oberon, NSW, $133.50

2nd Cross Poll Dorset/Border Leicester/Merino mixed sex lambs, Sept/Oct 17 drop, 40kg from Wellington, NSW, $130

1st Cross Poll Dorset/Merino mixed sex lambs, Sep/Oct 17 drop, 35kg from Tubbul NSW, $106

1st Cross Border Leicester/Merino wether lambs, Sep 17 drop, 37kg from Crookwell NSW, $105.50

White Dorper Mixed sex lambs, Jun/Aug 17 drop, 27kg from Broken Hill, NSW, $73

Source: AuctionsPlus.