These September-October 2021 drop Poll Dorset cross lambs weighing 34.7kg lwt sold for $148 at Armidale in NSW on AuctionsPlus last week.

LAMB prices generally fell on AuctionsPlus last week as the number of commercial sheep and lambs on the online platform increased 17 percent to 121,947 head.

The larger offering resulted in several categories falling in value, with four out of six lamb categories reporting price decreases, as clearances rates fluctuate across categories, AuctionsPlus said.

As has been the case in previous weeks, the immediate clearance rates at last Tuesdays’ sales were again low, registering 49 percent, but increased steadily throughout the week, to finish the week at 60pc.

AuctionsPlus said of the lots that sold during the Tuesday sales, the average selling price was $76 above the set reserve. In contrast, the lots which sold via post-sale negotiations averaged $5 lower than the set reserve.

Central west NSW continues to dominate sheep trading

New season lambs totalled 59,467 head, or 49pc of the offering, with Merino wether lambs and crossbred lambs making up most of the new season offering. Central west New South Wales remained the largest listing region, and buyers in the area also bought the most stock for the week, purchasing 11,443 head.

Crossbred lambs reported one of their largest week-to-week price falls, averaging $145 for the 15,703 head offered, down $11/head. On a cents/kg basis the change was only one cent, and the sold offering was on average 3kg liveweight lighter per lot this week. Clearance was steady on last week at 70pc. At Trundle in NSW, a line of 67 mixed sex first cross lambs weighing 48.2kg liveweight sold for $172.

More Merino wether lambs sell at lower average price

Merino wether lambs were well supplied again last week, with a stronger 68pc clearance from the 19,174 head offered. The lambs sold from $70-$152 and averaged $127, $5 down. Merino ewe lambs held steady in terms of volume and prices. Prices average $158 for the 84pc cleared from the 5341 head offered.

The 8352 composite/other breed lambs offered was 7pc of the total sheep and lamb offering last week. The category averaged $160, erasing all the previous week’s gain. A highlight for the category was the $452 paid for a line of September/October 2021 drop Nudie ewe lambs weighing 36kg.

First cross ewe lamb prices averaged lower for the second consecutive week at $223, down $24 for the 8151 head offered. Demand was stronger this week for the bigger offering and the clearance was 59pc, up from 47pc the previous week.

Joined Merino ewe prices slip

The joined ewe offering comprised of 30,047 head this week, with scanned in-lamb Merino ewes being the largest category with 14,951 head, followed by joined Merino ewes with 6225 head. Scanned in-lamb Merino ewes averaged $244, down $12, and the joined Merino ewes averaged $204, down $26.

Joined first cross ewes was one of the few categories to report a price increase for the week across the joined offering, increasing by $40 to average $265, with a strong 90pc clearance rate.

The unjoined ewe offering increased to 23,166 head, with clearance rates varying and prices predominantly lower. The only category to report a price rise was the Merino ewes, which lifted $8 to average $199 for the 7801 head offered. The category that met the strongest demand was composite/other breed ewes, with an 87pc clearance rate for the 3653 head offered. They averaged $262.

NOTE: Prices as at 5pm, Thursday 10rd March 2022