These unjoined 17-19 month-old Merino ewes sold for $135 on AuctionsPlus at Gunnedah in NSW last week.

CLEARANCE rates improved for an increased offering of 94,997 commercial sheep and lambs on AuctionsPlus last week.

The offering was 19 percent up on the previous week, but down 30pc on the corresponding week in 2022.

AuctionsPlus said lamb listings remained relatively low compared to previous weeks with 37,126 head offered, while higher overall listings were driven by non-station mated ewes.

The higher offering led to mixed prices and clearances across the sheep and lamb categories, although overall clearance rates improved as vendors and agents adjust reserves to meet the market.

Listings of crossbred lambs remained steady, with 5,839 head offered. Prices ranged widely from $62-$149 and averaged $116/head, reaching a 90pc clearance rate. At Euroa in Victoria, 230 White Suffolk/Merino Jun 22’ mixed sex lambs weighing 42kg lwt returned $140/head, or 330c/kg lwt.

Merino wether lambs registered a 66pc increase in listings to 9296 head, which applied some downward pressure on prices. These ranged from $45-$115 and averaged $79, down $11. The ultimate 69pc clearance rate was up from the 50pc achieved in auctions. At Collie in New South Wales, 445 Merino Aug 22’ drop store wether lambs weighing 37kg lwt returned $82/head, or 220c/kg lwt.

AuctionsPlus said listings of first cross ewe lambs eased 19pc to 5360 head and these averaged $142, down $52, for a clearance rate of 43pc by Thursday. The increased clearance rate on last week coupled with the lower average price indicated an adjustment to vendors reserve expectations, the online marketplace said. At Ganmain in NSW, 291 May/June 2022 drop first cross ewe lambs weighing 34kg lwt returned $132/head – $52 over the reserve price.

Composite/other breed lambs registered 4,016 head offered – up 31pc. Prices ranged significantly from $33-$139 and averaged $121/head – down $4 from last week for a 75% clearance rate. From Weerite, Victoria, a line of 400 Composite Jul/Aug 22’ drop mixed sex store lambs weighing 35kg returned $109/head to a buyer from SA.

Sheep numbers rose 25% on last week, with 57,801 head offered across both sales. The biggest increase across sheep categories came from non-station mated ewes, rising 41% on last week. The larger offering resulted in mixed prices and clearance rates while Merino ewes and ewe hoggets were firm despite significantly higher supply.

Scanned in-lamb Merino ewes registered a strong increase in numbers for the second week, with 11,998 head offered – up 38% on last week. Prices were firm, averaging $166/head while clearance also improved on last week at 41%. From Urana, NSW, a line of 200 Poll Merino ewes rising two years of age, weighing 68kg lwt and SIL to White Suffolk/Southdown rams returned the top price of $234/head.

Listings of SIL first cross ewe were steady on last week with the 2,298 head met with strong demand. Prices increased $93 on last week to average $282/head, with a 57% clearance rate. From Boorowa, NSW, two even lines of 145 Border Leicester/Merino rising two year old ewes SIL to Border Leicester rams, weighing 60kg lwt returned $271/head.

Scanned in-lamb shedding breed ewes registered 1,289 head this week, down 44% from the highs of last week. Prices ranged from $171-$402 and averaged $248/head – up $47 on last week for a 62% clearance rate. From Bollon, Queensland, a line of 365 Dorper rising two year old ewes SIL to Australian White and White Dorper rams, weighing 60kg lwt returned $230/head.

The 9732 unjoined Merino ewe hoggets offered was an 80pc increase on the previous week. Prices were firm to average $157 head while clearance reached 33%, up from 17% at the immediate close of auctions. From Trundle, NSW, a line of 320 Merino ewe hoggets aged 18-19 months old and weighing 57kg lwt returned the top price of $206/head.

Unjoined Merino ewes saw listings increase 78% to 14,821 head offered. Prices ranged from $56-$201 and averaged $123/head – up $32 on last week for a 56% clearance late Thursday. From Curban, NSW, a line of 520 Merino NSM ewes rising six years of age and weighing 65kg lwt returned $120/head.

Average prices for the 3569 Merino wethers offered eased $46 to $83 and clearance rates improved to 91pc by late Thursday, up from 58pc at the immediate close of the sale. At Charam in Victoria, 695 Merino wethers aged 17-18 months old and weighing 54kg lwt returned $90/head.

Source – AuctionsPlus.