THERE wasn’t any breaking of records at the Wagga Wagga, NSW, sheep and lamb sale but vendors certainly welcomed the rain on Tuesday.
Despite an initial estimate of 70,800 for the yarding vendors offered and sold 59,420 sheep and lambs in what was described as a subdued market.
Prices dropped by $10 to $20 across most lines and more in places. On a positive note the sale, and the onset of rain, set the scene for the Legacy Stock Drive.
According to Meat and Livestock Australia national livestock reporting service reporter Leann Dax, quality across the heavy old lamb categories was mixed.
Trade lamb quality continues to be mixed under the pressure of the season.
There were 20,100 head of new season lambs offered with the majority weighing from 18 to 22 kilograms carcase weight.
Heavy young lambs were limited, with all light lambs sold to weaker demand from processors.
Lambs to turnout or feed sold to mixed demand, while trade weight lamb softened with the market lacking the intensity of past weeks.
New season trade lambs sold $10-$26/head cheaper. The bulk of the new season trade lambs made from $148 to $224/head to average 879c/kg cwt.
Older trade weight lambs sold up to $24 cheaper, making from $145-$216/head, to av 796c/kg cwt.
New season heavy lambs sold to subdued demand, as some processors failed to secure a pen.
The bulk of the heavy new season lambs sold from $233 to $247/head. Heavy and extra heavy trade lambs sold from $211 to $300.20/head, averaging 887c/kg cwt.
Store lambs varied in price depending on breed and weight, the bulk making from $63 to $154/head.
It was a mixed quality offering of mutton, with all weights and grades represented. The market tracked $10 to $14/head cheaper for heavy sheep.
Heavy ewe mutton recorded a top price of $195.20/head to average 496c/kg cwt. Trade sheep were well supplied, making from $96 to $135/head to average 476c/kg cwt. Light sheep made from $66 to $84/head.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, vendors sold 3360 cattle at the Wagga market and the yarding was back by 440 head. Restocker interest declined which was reflected in the cheaper trends.
Vealers were few and the better covered vealers sold from 180c to 268c/kg.
Trade heifers benefited from steady competition. Medium weight trade heifers sold from 238c to 298c averaging 273c/kg.
Trade steer numbers increased and quality was very good, the better finished selling from 276c to 302/kg.
Weaner cattle sold to weak demand, with some of the buying group inactive.
The bulk of the steers returning to the paddock sold from 170c to 279c/kg. Secondary light weight heifers sold to much cheaper trends averaging 207c/kg.
Light and medium weight feeder steers sold to all of the usual buyers.
Medium weight feeder steers gained 6c to 10c, making from 288c to 313c, while the lighter weights sold 10c dearer to average 283c/kg.
Feeder heifers 330-400kg were 47c dearer selling from 220c to 275c/kg.
Domestic and export processor struggled to fill loads which resulted in a dearer trend.
The better quality pens of prime finished steers and bullocks made from 280c to 314c/kg.
There was a limited supply of bullocks that averaged 267c/kg. In the cow market all weights and grades were represented.
Heavy cows gained 8c to average 234c/kg. The D3 medium weight lines tracked 6c dearer making from 175c to 234c/kg. Plainer cows sold from 120c to 155c/kg.