SHEEP supply this week on AuctionsPlus dropped to 39,791 head, a decline of 16 percent on the previous week. However clearance remained strong at 82pc.
NSW vendors offered 76pc of all listings, as many sheep areas continue to battle the dry conditions. Stocking rates are deteriorating as the industry looks toward spring without decent rainfall, with the BOM currently forecasting most of the eastern states as unlikely to receive above average rainfall in the coming three months.
Numbers on AuctionsPlus this week were bolstered by dispersals of breeding stock inclusive of 20,966 ewes listed in NSW. In contrast, Victoria has seen a welcome change in season with widespread rain received in the last month. As a result, buyer confidence rebounded and a there was strong net inflow of stock into the state, with 10,637 head purchased, well above the 3344 head offered.
Lamb prices remain around record levels, with this price pressure also feeding down to all stock categories in the yards and online. Particularly as yarding numbers are currently receding, processors have been looking online to fill supply.
Processors were active in both the Tuesday National Sheep and Lamb Sales and secured lots including 450 six year old empty Merino ewes from Bathurst, NSW averaging 56kg, which returned $138 or 616c dressed.
Goat trading expanding
The goat market goes from strength the strength with 4190 listed online this week, as buyers and vendors alike achieved excellent results. Listings came from four vendors in the western district of NSW and 89pc of stock found buyers across NSW, VIC and SA.
Does in store condition sold well with highlights including 1800 6-36 month old rangeland does averaging 18kg from Broken Hill, NSW returning $80 or 1212c dressed. The top price was returned by 410 1-6 year old rangeland & rangeland/Boer cross bucks averaging 30kg from Ivanhoe, NSW returning $138 or 1087c dressed.
Merino ewe lambs sold from $140 to $227 this week to average $188, up $6 on last week, and recording a 91pc clearance. Top price went to a line of 620 future breeder Merino ewe lambs from Cassilis, NSW, July/Aug 18 drop and averaging 42kg.
Other highlights included 460 NSM Merino ewe lambs 11-12 months averaging 38kg from Longreach, QLD returning $156, finding a buyer across the border in Bourke, NSW.
Proven breeder Merinos sold from $125 to $250 this week to average $178, up $10. Top price was returned by a mob of 310 Coralyn blood NSM ewes, four years old with a 3-inch skin, from Peak Hill, NSW, Other highlights included 161 2-6 year old SIL Woodpark blood ewes, 2-inch skin from Wyalong, NSW, making $240.
Merino wether lambs sold from $45 to $156 this week to average $119, down $2. Top price was returned by a mob of 180 Rogaro blood store lambs from Tarago, NSW, 33kg with a 4-inch skin, which will travel to Mannus, NSW. Other wether highlights included two-year-old Merino wethers 49kg from Inverell, NSW returning $171 and from Longwood, VIC a line of 315 wether lambs 40kg returned $134.
The top price of the week was returned by a line of 83 Border Leicester/Merino ewes with 73 lambs at foot from Ariah Park, NSW. The ewes were two years old, 60kg and the lambs at foot were sired by Dorset rams.
Scanned in-lamb first cross ewes sold from $200 to $344 this week to average $280, up $29. Top price was achieved by a line of 241 15-16 month old SIL ewes averaging 67kg from Corowa, NSW, which will travel to Wangaratta, VIC. A line of two-year-old first cross ewes from Carago, NSW averaging 65kg returned $316.
Border Leicester/Merino ewe lambs sold from $228 to $261 this week to average $238, up $28. Highlights include 178 10-11 month old ewe lambs from Goulburn, NSW, 47kg, which returned $261 and will travel to Wodonga, VIC; 280 future breeder ewe lambs 32kgs from Narromine, NSW returned $233, travelling to Mulwala, NSW.
The store lamb market saw 4150 head offered this week, achieving a 96pc clearance. Highlights included:
- Mar/Apr-19, 39kg Poll Dorset x Border Leicester/Merino mixed sex suckers from WELLINGTON, NSW sold for $183 or 473c/kg live
- Mar/Apr-19, 24kg Border Leicester/Merino mixed sex suckers from COOTAMUNDRA, NSW sold for $148 or 630c/kg live
- Sep/Oct-18, 40kg White Suffolk/Merino mixed sex store lambs from OUSE, Tasmania sold for $147 or 377c/kg live
- Apr/May-19, 27kg Dohne store wether lambs from WALGETT, NSW sold for $140 or 519c/kg live
- Jan/Feb-19, 29kg Poll Dorset x Border Leicester/Merino mixed sex store lLambs from DINGWALL, Victoria sold for $140 or 495c/kg live
- Mar/Apr-19, 28kg Border Leicester/Merino mixed sex store lambs from MOREE NSW sold for $131 or 483c/kg live
Source: AuctionsPlus
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