A BIG online sheep and lamb turn-off in New South Wales boosted AuctionsPlus’ offering last week.

AuctionsPlus sheep and lamb listings increased by 9500 nationally to total 102,303, with the New South Wales offering rising 18,000 to 70,285.

AuctionsPlus Wool market operations supervisor Tom Rookyard said with rain forecast throughout central and north-east NSW, the market appears to holding its own.

Tasmanian buyers also continued to make their presence felt, purchasing 4500 crossbred lambs from the national lamb sale.

Merino ewe hoggets sell to $280

Mr Rookyard said there was strong buyer interest in Merino ewe hoggets last week, with a 72 percent clearance of stock offered. Hoggets averaged $170, up $30 on last week, and sold from $125.50 to a top of $280. The top-priced mob was a line of 54kg 16-17 month-old Langdene blood ewes at Bigga, NSW, carrying a 7.5cm fleece. The 2018 drop Merino ewe lambs offered sold from $75 to $140.50 with a $100 average.

The large offering of unjoined grown Merino ewes this week meant that buyers could be selective, Mr Rookyard said. Prices were firm on last week with a $139 average, ranging from $66.50 to a top of $178 for a line of 60kg 3-4 year-old ewes at Cummins in South Australia. Other Merino ewe highlights included 42kg 18-19 month-old hoggets at Ivanhoe, NSW, that sold for $182; 47kg 15-16 month-old hoggets at Warren, NSW, that made $180, and; Concordia blood 53kg, unjoined, 17-18 month-old hoggets at Cookardinia, NSW, that sold for $215.50.

Merino wether lambs peak at $128

Mr Rookyard said demand for Merino wether lambs showed some resilience last week, with lines making $50 to a top of $128 and averaging $84, a $4 drop on the previous week. The top-price was paid for a line of 45kg May/June drop lambs at Telopea Downs in Victoria. A line of 33kg June/July drop lambs at Deniliquin, NSW, sold for $114.50. Grown Merino wethers and wether hoggets averaged $106 last week, up $21. They ranged from $72 to a top of $140.50 for a line three year-old 57.5kg wethers at Cooma, NSW.

First cross ewe lambs sell to $270

Buyers paid to $240 for a line of April-May drop first cross ewe lambs weighing 51kg lwt at Narridy, SA. Ewe lambs sold from $128.50 to $240, averaging $177. First cross ewes and ewe hoggets sold from $98 to $299, averaging $185. The top-price was paid for a line of 16-17 month old 62kg ewes at Rutherglen in Victoria. Other first cross highlights included April/May drop lambs at Coonamble, NSW selling for $233 and May/June drop 40kg lambs at Wagga Wagga, NSW, making $190.

Store lamb highlights

Poll Dorset cross, May/June drop, 41kg, $144.50, Cowra, NSW

White Suffolk/Dohne cross, June/July drop, 42kg, $142 Neuarpurr, Victoria,

Poll Dorset/Primeline cross, Jul/Aug drop, 38kg, $136.50, Cootamundra, NSW

Poll Dorset cross, Jul/Aug drop, 39kg, $136, Benalla, Victoria,

White Suffolk/Dohne cross, June/July drop, 38kg, $135, Neuarpurr, Victoria,

White Suffolk cross, Aug/Sept drop, 39kg, $135, Adelong, NSW

First cross wethers, May/June drop, 42kg, $132.50, Benalla, Victoria

Poll Dorset cross, Apr/May drop, 42kg, $132.50, Benalla, Victoria

Source: AuctionsPlus.