THE timely rain across much of NSW and parts of Victoria has brought with it a real sense of optimism.
Last week secondary lambs finished on a positive note, assisted by revitalised restocker demand.
At the conclusion of Thursday markets, the Eastern States restocker lamb indicator kicked 47 cents a kilogram to rest at 525c/kg.
We will always be exposed to the rise and fall of prices, but currently the potential to make a dollar has improved thanks to seasonal conditions changing remarkably.
Last weekend's favourable rain has had an immediate impact on pasture growth overnight and has guaranteed early sown oat crops, the perfect start leading into cooler weather.
Most Riverina agents say the promising forecast in the month ahead combined with the well-timed autumn break, is the formula for confidence to remain high.
They predict a knock-on effect in the northern physical markets, which will boost prices across all lighter weight lamb categories leading into winter, which was particularly evident at the Wagga Wagga lamb market in NSW on Thursday.
Vendors were rewarded at Wagga when buyers were keen to purchase well-bred secondary lambs.
The better bred lambs to turn out lifted $11 a head, averaging $109, while the plainer lighter weight shorn drafts av $84.10.
In among the fray, feedlot buyers and processors were also working hard to secure lambs 14-18kg.
Processors paid $12 more and they made from $84-$103.
Lambs to feed on gained $8-$10, topping at $118, while at Griffith, NSW, the story was similar with greater than before demand.
Lightweight lambs to the processors lifted $6 and the Merino portion fetched $11 more.
I incorrectly thought with less numbers at Bendigo, prices would be noticeably higher, but quality concerns will always determine the final result.
The National Livestock Reporting Service reported lamb quality was of a plainer standard with less weight and finish in the yarding.
This influenced carcase weight prices, lifting them higher as buyers were left no alternatives but to drop back into lighter weight categories to secure supplies.
Trade lambs were firm to a couple of dollars dearer, with the better drafts av 540-570c/kg cwt.
Heavy lambs eased $1-$2 and made from $166-$194.
Light lambs to slaughter were the highpoint of the sale, showing a rising trend of up to $10 due to the up-and-coming Greek Easter celebrations, selling from $89-$93 to av 540c/kg cwt.
Demand for mutton again shifted into a higher gear, with carcase weight prices for heavy grades reaching above 400c/kg.
Heavy crossbred ewes sold from $100-$139, while heavy Merino ewes sold from $103-$128.
Elders Corowa livestock agent David Hill said trade lambs met with good competition on the well finished and grain-fed lambs, with prices $6-$10 dearer and more in places.
"Rain was a contributing factor to the dearer market with 4500 less lambs in the system, in a yarding of only 9500 lambs and 2000 sheep," he said.
He said heavy lambs were notably dearer and gained $5-$6 due to several buyers returning to the market after a short absence.
"Mutton was again dearer with heavy grades av 360-380c/kg," he said.
Lamb prices firmed at Ballarat with all saleyards this week recording lower numbers.
Light lambs were keenly sought gaining $6 to av $99, while trade lambs recorded an improvement of $2 av 557c/kg cwt.
Export processors lifted their rates $2-$7 to acquire adequate supplies and they made from $148-$190.
A good run of mutton in various weights and grades sold $7-$22 dearer for heavy sheep, with heavy wethers in almost full wool reaching a top price of $151.
