PRICES improved for limited numbers of ewe-lamb units, Merino wethers and shedding breed ewes on AuctionsPlus last week.
Rates held firm for crossbred and Merino wether lambs, but dropped for first cross and Merino ewe lambs, joined and unjoined ewes.
AuctionsPlus said it was a largely softer commercial sheep and lamb market online last week, despite a 6 percent reduction in overall numbers.
The total listings for the week across sheep and lamb sales remained 7pc above the corresponding week in 2020, with 144,004 head listed and 95,562 head (65pc) of the catalogue made up by new season lambs. As large volumes of new season lambs continue to take to the market, prices have softened in November, AuctionsPlus said.
However, clearance rates this week were higher than the previous week, albeit with Merino ewe lambs still struggling to reach a point of mutual interest between vendor and buyer prices.
The recent widespread rain through many regions, along with mild conditions throughout November has been positive and negative for the market, AuctionsPlus said. On the downside, many producers continue to wait for lambs to get some sun on their backs for finishing, while on the upside, restockers continue to support the market, flushed with ample feed heading into the summer months.
Top purchasing regions this week included the New South Wale’s central west (18,190 head), south-west Victoria (11,030 head) and NSW’s Riverina region (10,897 head).
Crossbred lambs was the largest lamb category, with 42,003 head selling to an 85pc clearance rate. They sold from $102-207/head, to average $153/head – up $1 on the previous week. Similarly, Merino wether lambs also edged $1 higher to average $139/head, with 74pc of the 24,889 head offered selling.
The lower yarding of 9690 first cross ewe lambs averaged $226 , $14 down, with 72pc selling. The number of Merino ewe lambs also declined, to 6968 head, averaging $27/head lower at $163.
Despite a 94pc clearance rate for the week, composite and other breed lambs sold to $155, down $46 on last week.
All unjoined categories declined in price this week, with the largest fall registered for the 14,398 Merino ewes, down $32 to average $199. Similarly, Merino ewe hoggets slipped back $3 to average $260, with a 67pc clearance of the 15,258 head offered.
NOTE: Prices as at 5pm, Thursday 11th November, 2021
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