The prognosis leading into next month looks excellent, thanks to above average rainfall throughout winter.
Paddocks already have full moisture profiles and stock are finally adding much needed kilograms.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, NSW has a 75 per cent chance of receiving more than 200mm of rain by the end of spring.
The Victorian forecast is equally good.
The seasonal shortage of extra heavy new season lambs appeared to give the market some drive last week, with prices improving a few dollars for the heavier end.
Other new season lamb categories fluctuated at saleyards, with the market showing increases on some days but losses on others.
The overall result has been a slightly cheaper trend to the national price indicator.
At the close of trade last week, the average for trade lambs had lost 4¢ to settle on 577¢/kg cwt. Merino lambs were back 1¢ at 499¢, while heavy lambs rested on 589¢/kg cwt.
Restockers have begun to re-enter the market at northern centres, helping cement a floor for lighter weight new season categories.
Agents said some sales of well-bred lambs in store condition met higher prices. Values in some cases were $3-$8 better.
According to the National Live Stock Reporting Service (NLRS), numbers fell significantly at Wagga with only 22,000 lambs, including 7750 new season lambs.
The excellent offering of new season lambs set the stage for a stronger finish to the week, as both export and domestic buyers were keen to acquire a market share.
Heavier pens of domestic lambs ignited bidding interest, with prices firm to a few dollars dearer.
Heavy trade made from $145-$172 to average 634¢/kg cwt. There were a few more pens in most agents’ runs of heavy young lambs 25-27kg, which sold from $160-$175 to average 612¢/kg cwt. Old lamb numbers remain high.
On Monday, Victorian and NSW markets showed a price correction for lambs, while mutton values strengthened.
But reduced numbers and improved quality could not sustain rates at Dubbo.
The bigger price correction was for new season trade lambs, where rates fell $11 to average 584¢/kg.
Bendigo prices declined for a yarding of only 10,096 lambs and 3871 sheep on Monday. The top pens of heavy suckers weighing more than 25kg made to $167 to average 561¢/kg cwt. NLRS data showed three score trade lambs $7-$10 cheaper, averaging 584¢/kg cwt.
The mutton market posted a rally on the back of limited supplies. The highlight was crossbred ewes returning to the paddock, with restockers paying up to $128 for younger stock to rejoin.
