The prediction of rain did little to improve the lamb market in New South Wales late last week, with prices continuing to fluctuate at lower levels.
Price falls of up to $10 were the catalyst for the national trade lamb indicator to dip to 594c/kg.
Quality concerns were obvious at Wagga Wagga, NSW, on Thursday to buyers, even down to the lighter weight categories.
There were a flood of plainer one and two score lambs under 16kg carcase weights which were being absorbed mostly by meat buyers, in particular inferior types at cheaper rates.
The heavier well-bred secondary drafts (shorn) were snapped up by stronger restocking and lot feeder demand, which saw prices jump $7, with lambs returning to the paddock, reaching a top of $133, while lambs to feed-on fetched $123-$155.
Trade lamb prices were bouncing around, and the best of the trades sold close to firm while plainer, drier types dragged the market back $3-$6, to average 580c/kg cwt.
Interestingly, major supermarkets rarely competed against export processors for 24-26kg lambs, which resulted in prices retreating $5.
Extra heavy lambs lacked the quality and weight with reduced supplies over 30kg cwt.
There was plenty of heavy mutton penned to suit buyers’ needs, especially heavy cross-bred ewes and Merino wethers.
In the case of heavy wethers, demand was strong with a single run reaching a top price of $181.20.
At Dubbo in a bigger-sized yarding to the previous market, prices went south.
Light-weight lambs were again influenced by the level of restocker competition, which varied between the breeds.
Light-weight lambs to slaughter were well supplied and there seems to be an obvious trend of buyers trying to reduce prices whenever increased supplies allow with some data showing falls of up $8.
Trade lambs were mostly grain assisted and despite this, processors pulled prices back $6-$9, with most selling from $110-$150, to average 547-557c/kg cwt.
There was a significant price correction for heavy lambs 26-30kg, which saw values generally $11 lower, while lambs over 30kg cwt were unchanged to $2 easier.
Rain has given the Bendigo lamb market a boost on Monday with prices a few dollars dearer for the best trade and heavy lambs.
The better finished trade weight lambs sold from $137-$167 to average 600-620c/kg.
Heavy lambs ranged from $153-$203.
A shortage of high quality lambs in Victoria was keeping prices strong at Ballarat on Tuesday.
Most types and weights of lambs gained ground with lifts of up to $11.
Quality drafts of well-finished trade lambs made from $129-$158, to average 614c/kg cwt.
Heavy lambs sold $4-$7 dearer, averaging 584c/kg cwt.
