ONLINE sheep and lamb clearances increased in Australia last week as restockers and processors competed strongly on increased offerings in Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia.

Offerings on AuctionsPlus increased by 15,961 to total 59,942 head and clearances remained strong, rising to 84 percent, with strong purchasing from southern buyers.

However, AuctionsPlus’ Michael McManus said prices corrected across most stock categories, aligning with saleyard values across the country.

Mr McManus said the ongoing tough conditions experienced by many producers throughout New South Wales resulted in 76pc of last week’s online supply came from NSW sellers. NSW’s offering increased by 12,000 to 45,867 sheep and lambs, Queensland listings rose by 5704 to 9519 and South Australia offered 1883 head, up 307. Online listings fell in Victoria by 1574 to 2070 and in Tasmania by 840 to 603 head.

Northern Victoria were the most active purchasing region buying a total of 10,144 head, adding to total Victorian purchases of 15,552, or about 26pc of the national offering. NSW’s Riverina region purchased 6795 head, part of the total state purchases of 21,715 head, or 36pc of national online sales for the week. South Australia bought 4876 head or 8pc of last week’s offering.

Merino ewe lambs sell firm to $264 top price

Merino ewe lambs held firm on AuctionsPlus last week, selling from $130 to $264 and averaging $183. The top price was paid for 200 August-September 2018 drop ewe lambs at Warroo, NSW. The Lachlan Merino blood lambs weighed 50kgs and had a 2.5cm fleece skin. They sold to a NSW buyer at Goulburn.

Merino ewe hogget prices fell $36 to average $175, and range from $116 to $217. The top price was paid by a Victorian buyer at Benalla for 400 unjoined Wanganella blood ewes at Hay, NSW. The 14-15 month-old ewes weighed 34kgs and carried a 3.75cm fleece.

Young Merino ewes, 2-4 years-old, sold from $162 to $218 and averaged $188, and proven breeders, 4 years-old or more, sold $15 cheaper, averaging $163, and ranging from $100 to $246. Highlights included 595 rising six year-old scanned in-lamb Merino ewes at Thargomindah in Queensland that sold for $155. The ewes weighed 47kgs and had 3.75cm fleece. At Euduna in South Australia, 76 rising three year-old unjoined Merino ewes sold for $206 to a Victorian buyer at Bendigo. The wees weighed 56kgs.

Merino wethers lambs lift to average $121

Merino wether lambs sold from $70.50 to $155 and averaged $121, up $2 from the previous week. The top price was returned by two lines of 290 March-April drop store wether lambs at Peak Hill in NSW. These 34kg lambs sold to a buyer at Nalinga in Victoria.

Merino wethers sold from $112 to $166 and averaged $144, up $24 from last week. The top price was paid for 1400 12-14 month-old Merino hoggets at Longreach, QLD. The hoggets weighed 49kgs and sold to a South Australian buyer at Murray. Other highlights included 500 2-3 year-old Merino wethers weighing 53kgs at Quilpie, QLD, selling for $145 to a Victorian buyer at Swan Hill.

First cross ewe lambs firm to average $236

First cross ewe lambs sold firm at $157 to $266 and averaged $236 on AuctionsPlus last week. The top price was paid for two lines of 230 scanned empty August-September 2018 drop ewe lambs at Grenfell, NSW. One line of the 44kg ewe lambs sold to a Victorian buyer at Benalla and the other went to Toogong in NSW.

Processors scour online offerings

Mr McManus said processors continued to scour online sales to find stock, purchasing at least three lots from three different sales, including Tuesday’s national sheep, the lamb sale and Thursday’s national sale. Highlights included 600 2-4 year-old 45kg Merino wethers at Inverell, NSW, selling for  $112 or 640c/kg dressed.

Online store lamb offering increases

AuctionsPlus offered 17,319 store lambs last week, up 13,169 head week-on-week. The category continues to receive strong buyer demand with a 91pc clearance achieved, Mr McManus said. Highlights included:

– Apr/May-19, 40kg White Suffolk/Merino Mixed Sex Suckers from ARIAH PARK, New South Wales sold for $200 or 493c/kg live

– Feb/Mar-19, 37kg 2nd Cross Poll Dorset and 2nd Cross White Suffolk Mixed Sex Suckers from HILLSTON, New South Wales sold for $179 or 496c/kg live

– Apr/May-19, 36kg Poll Dorset/Merino Mixed Sex Suckers from TEMORA, New South Wales sold for $178 or 482c/kg live

– Mar/Apr-19, 38kg 2nd Cross Poll Dorset Mixed Sex Suckers from TOOGONG, New South Wales sold for $175 or 464c/kg live

– Feb/Mar-19, 44kg 2nd Cross Australian White Wether Suckers from LONGREACH, Queensland sold for $172 or 413c/kg live

– Aug/Sep-18, 40kg Border Leicester/Merino Mixed Sex Lambs from GUNNING, New South Wales sold for $163.50 or 419c/kg live

– Mar/Apr-19, 40kg Border Leicester/Merino Wether Lambs from NARROMINE, New South Wales sold for $155 or 408c/kg live

– Oct/Dec-18, 36kg White Dorper/White Dorper and Dorper/White Dorper Wether Lambs from WEENGALLONG, Queensland sold for $146 or 409c/kg live