Even as the dry weather conditions take hold, lamb supplies tightened last week largely due to several major selling centres such as Bendigo, Dubbo and Corowa closing for the long weekend.
Trade and heavy lambs were in reasonable supply at most NSW and Victoria markets. All sales reported greater numbers of secondary lines coming forward, which is not surprising as teeth have now become an issue. Most producers prefer to make way for new lambs.
At Wagga Wagga, lamb numbers were similar to the previous market, but even with the decline in values, better conditioned and finished lambs continue to command better prices, with supermarkets the drivers.
There was a little price change for heavy sheep right through and bidding was solid with the bulk of the offering averaging 500c/kg cwt.
A shortage of good quality lambs has kept well-finished trade lambs close to pre-public holiday rates and with dry conditions starting to bite, this premium could be lost very quickly.
In Dubbo, numbers lifted by 8000 with just over 50,000 yarded, enough to cause a price correction. Heavy lambs sold $18 cheaper, while trade lambs felt the downward pressure on average of $5. Some restockers paid from $89-$131
At Bendigo lamb numbers fell with only 15,512 penned and 3600 sheep. According to National Live Stock Reporting Service (NLRS), quality had slipped, and this influenced price.
The best rate on a cents-per-kilo basis was 700c paid for trade lambs bought for $174, while the bulk of the trade lambs sold at $136-$168. However prices for the balance of the Merino trade lambs varied with plainer Merino lambs poorly supported, and prices were $8-$16 lower.
Heavy lamb competition was patchy and prices generally fell back $8-$13. Heavy lambs made from $158-$220 averaging 620-651c/kg.
Heavy crossbred and Merino sheep sold $13 cheaper while medium weight trade sheep fell $9 with medium and heavy grades averaging 490c-523c/kg cwt.
Despite a significant drop in supply at Ballarat, rates slipped for trade lambs. Better finished trade lambs however, were close to firm while overall prices eased back $3 for heavy trade, averaging 670ckg cwt.
Processors demand faded and prices were up to $6 cheaper making from $156-$236, averaging 624-640c/kg cwt. Demand for well-bred secondary lambs to turnout remained solid and prices were unchanged to $2 easier for lambs with weight and frame selling at $102-$157
Mutton market was keenly contested, mirrored over most medium and heavy weights to average 522-540c/kg cwt. Lighter weight sheep made from $95-$118
