Hamilton lamb numbers surged last week and the trend is expected to continue this week, with reports agents have split lamb sales to Mondays and Wednesdays. The lift in lamb numbers to 54,310 caused some price variations but generally the market gained momentum over trade and heavy export categories. The majority of medium and heavy trade lambs according to the National Livestock Reporting Service (NLRS) gained $6-$12 fetching $120-$144 to average 532c/kg cwt. Heavy lambs were a highlight of the sale with rates jumping $10-$13 to record a top price of $166 to average 522c/kg.
It was more of the same at Wagga on Thursday, with prices following a similar trend and pattern over all classes. Trade lambs averaged slightly higher at 540c while heavy export lambs made from $144-$165.60 to average 495-550c/kg cwt. Hamilton had a bigger line up of store lambs and both centres recorded matching price movements. Lighter immature lambs sold from $50-$81, while lambs with more weight and frame fetched $83-$104.
Better quality and heavier sheep made up much of Wagga’s offering and the yarding included several large pens of heavy wethers. These topped at $104 for a pen estimated to weigh 28-30kg cwt. Heavy crossbred ewes jumped $9 making from $87-$108, while trade sheep firmed to average 320c/kg cwt.
At Hamilton on Monday agents kicked off their first split lamb sale for the season and yarded 35,000 new-season lambs, with 35 per cent of the offering store lambs. Well-bred second cross lambs returning to the paddock made from $74-$104, while immature lambs sold down to a low of $27 to average $61.90.Trade lamb rates dipped $6-$8 to average 495c/kg cwt. Heavy lambs met a head wind and prices were wound back $4.
Lamb prices at Bendigo on Monday continued to hold their ground as the season keeps a lid on well finished lamb numbers. Finished lambs continue to be hard to find, reflecting the poor seasonal conditions. The NLRS noted there were only four pens of export lambs above 28kg cwt which sold from $150-$155. Trade lamb quality was up and down, with many pen lots showing dryness or lacking finish. The better finished trade pens fetched $124-$142, with the general run of trades selling from $105-$120. NLRS said more shorn lambs are now appearing and the best quality trades sold from $122-$140 averaging 505c/kg cwt.
At Forbes on Tuesday an increased percentage of lambs were showing the effects of the hot dry conditions and, the plainer quality was reflected in the trade market as rates eased back $4-$5. The better finished fresh trade weights made from $110-$144 to average 540c/kg cwt. Heavy shorn lambs were in the box seat igniting the bidding.