MAJOR Victorian saleyards offered their largest even June-gathering of prime lambs as selling returned to normal post the long weekend period.
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Overall numbers were increased by 60 per cent after the broken week with this week’s tally of 58,149 exceeding the previous fortnight’s high.
In fact this week’s saleyard supply was 30pc greater than any other mid-June week of the past decade which leaves the unanswered question of why slaughter for the 12 months is 12 to 15pc less when saleyard numbers have remained the same.
Despite a decline of 4000 in its yarding figure, Ballarat on Tuesday saw prices were off the pace from its previous market in a sale that ebbed and flowed.
The National Livestock Reporting Service (NLRS) said prices overall averaged $2-$5 a head lower despite averaging 500-550 cents a kilogram.
Extra heavy lambs were again priced from $186-$190 to be virtually unchanged on its record $193 rate of last week.
Other heavy lambs weighing to 30 kilograms made $140-$177 while trade lambs made $108-$140 and light trade lambs, $86-$114.
Bernie Nevins of HF Richardson said buyers appeared “picky” with the extra numbers. However quality overall was also not as good, which he said explained some of the buyer indecision.
A day earlier at Bendigo rates of the previous fortnight maintained momentum as the Monday market again averaged 500-560c/kg, selling unchanged to $3-$4 easier.
Quality again was a talking point, but the offering included decent numbers of well-finished heavier trade to extra heavy weights along with large numbers of Merino lambs.
Elders’ Graeme Miller said two early consignments of new season young lambs were forwarded from Riverina districts; one dispersed a flock and the other lightened-off.
Mr Miller said a draft of 450 White Suffolk-Merinos, 14- 20kg, from the Dye family, Tchelery, Moulamein, were all absorbed by the trade. Sold in fresh condition these made $79-$133 or 550-580c/kg.
The NLRS said sales of heavy old lambs, weighing to 30kg, made $140-$177 while extra heavy weights made $183 and the market top of $190.
The service deemed this area of the market as unchanged on a cents-a-kilogram basis while trade weights, 18 to 22kg, were $2-$5 easier from $108-$140.
Graeme Miller said the display and the demand for Merino lambs was most exceptional. Prices were $5-$6 dearer and made from $76 to a best of $141 for one outstanding draft.
Selling also returned to Corowa NSW on Monday with a quality yarding of heavy trade well supported by a good display of Merino lambs.
* Extract. Full report Stock & Land, June 24.
