These June-July 2024 drop Poll Dorset cross lambs weighing 38.8kg lwt at Bigga in NSW sold for $149 on AuctionsdPlus last week.

CROSSBRED, composite and Merino wether lamb prices dropped on AuctionsPlus last week as the overall commercial sheep and lamb listings rose 7 percent to 115,121 head.

AuctionsPlus sold 51pc of the slightly larger offering, heavily influenced by low clearance in the Merino wether lamb and joined ewe categories.

The average price for crossbred lamb fell 5pc to $125/head, and the average restocker lamb price fell by 56 cents to 635c/kg dressed.

More than 10,000 additional new season lambs – 87,683 head up from 72,827 head the previous week – were offered on the platform and 51pc were sold for an average price of $114, the same as the previous week.

The first cross ewe lamb offering increased 53pc to 2294. The average price increased $49 to $169.

AuctionsPlus said joined ewes and lambs were not in favour with bidders, with just 43pc sold. Only 4pc of the 4460 composite and other breed ewes were sold for a steady average of $154/head.

Queensland and New South Wales offerings were reduced, but Victorian producers lifted their offerings. However, it was South Australia that had the biggest change, offering an additional 18,215 head.

NSW producers were responsible for the highest levels of purchases, with Victoria also active, although to a reduced extent. South Australian buyers took home just over 4000 head, in recognition of the tough conditions being experienced by the state, AuctionsPlus said.

Highlights

At Bigga in NSW, 200 mixed sec June-July 2024 drop Poll Dorset cross lambs weighing 39kg lwt sold for $149, or 384c/kg, to a buyer in Orange, NSW.

At Keith in South Australia, 620 April 2024 Poll Merino ewe lambs weighing 38kg lwt sold for $110, or 289c/kg, to a buyer in Swan Hill, Victoria.

At Kingston in SA, 270 July 2024 drop Merino ewe lambs weighing 29kg lwt made $69, or 238c/kg, with a buyer in Birchip, Victoria.

Source – AuctionsPlus.