The March-April drop White Suffolk-Merino cross lambs averaged 37kg lwt and sold for $136 at Gilgandra, NSW, on AuctionsPlus last week.

PRICES improved for scanned in-lamb and unjoined Merino and shedding breed ewes, and for joined first cross ewes, on AuctionsPlus last week.

And Victorian buyers bought 53 per cent of all sheep and lambs offered, and dominated competition for the 30,819 Merino wether lambs listed online.

AuctionsPlus offered 67,181 head in its weekly commercial sheep and lamb categories, a 51pc increase from the previous week.

National lamb sale listings hit 42,860 head, up 57pc, with new season wether lambs accounting for 46pc of the total sheep and lamb offering.

AuctionsPlus said average prices dropped for the increased listings in the crossbred, first cross ewe and shedding breed lamb categories and clearance rates were mixed.

Joined ewe listings were tighter this week, with prices across most of the categories increasing. Post-sale negotiations continue to assist vendors and buyers find market value, with 5386 head selling post auction, lifting clearance to finish the week at 80pc, AuctionbsPlus said.

Victoria Merino wether lamb buyers dominate

Victorian buyers bought 22,280 out of the 24,777 wether lambs offered online in New South Wales last week.

The 30,819 Merino wether lambs listed was the largest lamb offering, accounting for 72pc of lamb listings for the week. AuctionsPlus said the increased offering failed to dampen prices, with the category averaging $112, up $1, with the clearance rate climbing to 91pc after reaching 86pc at the immediate close of sale. At Booligal in NSW, two lines of 46kg lwt wether lambs sold for the top price of $146.

The crossbred lamb offering of 6851 head was 14pc lower, and sold from $95-$160 to average $136, back $5. AuctionsPlus said strong buyer interest helped the clearance rate reach 90pc at the immediate close of sale. At Strathalbyn in South Australia, 220 Suffolk/Dohne mixed sex store lambs weighing 41kg lwt sold for $150 to a Victorian buyer.

Scanned in-lamb shedding ewe prices increase

Joined ewe listings continued their recent downward trend, with the 6809 head back 17pc. L

The 1236 scanned in-lamb shedding breed ewes all sold, for an average price of $478, up $262.

The 16,072 unjoined ewes accounted for 24pc of the weekly offering. Non-station mated Merino ewes registered the largest offering in the unjoined categories, with the 5289 head selling to strong demand and a 72pc clearance. Prices ranged from $148 to $272, to average $217, up $59.

Merino ewe hogget prices eased slightly, with the 4572 head averaging $235, down $1. Mixed buyer demand led to a 50pc clearance rate at auction, but post-sale negotiations lifted clearance to 78pc as buyers and sellers found an eventual middle ground, AuctionsPlus said. At Coonamble in NSW, 400 unjoined Merino ewes weighing 47kg lwt made $228.

AuctionsPlus sold 84pc of the 2045 composite/other breed ewes offered for an average price of $248. At Condobolin in NSW, 210 Dohne ewes weighing 65kg lwt sold for $252.

Note: Prices as at 5pm, Thursday 8th September 2022

Source: AuctionsPlus.