The lamb market is still struggling to find a base rate this spring. Prices continue to fluctuate on quality and supply at various saleyards, as the season remains on the edge in many areas, with decent rains needed after severe frost and continuing dry conditions.
Young lamb prices lost some ground by the end of last week despite numbers declining at northern centres. In NSW the two sales Thursday and Friday at Wagga and Griffith combined, offered more than 36,600 lambs.
Prices were firm to cheaper with rates holding remarkably well given the dip in quality.
Meat and livestock Australia said lamb suitable for the trade or heavy export has declined significantly since the beginning of July, as the numbers of finished lambs diminished after a protracted period of increased slaughter between April and June.
The current drought conditions have delayed big numbers well finished of new season lambs into the market. NSW producers report they are struggling to achieve weight gain, with many now placing stock on frosted crops.
At Wagga on Thursday rates were either side of firm for new season trade lambs. Light trade weight made from $146-$192, while heavy trade made $200-$218, with carcass weight returns ranging from 824c to 850c/kg. Heavy young lambs sold at $220-$248 to average 875c/kg cwt.
The common trend at opening markets is strong bidding for lambs with plenty of shape and yield. It was evident at Dubbo due to the severe drought there were few standout pens of finished lambs the bulk were mainly plainer Merinos, crossbreds and Dorpers.
At Corowa the National Livestock Reporting Service (NLRS) said the best quality lines of trade weight lambs received the strongest support. Price was up to $10 cheaper making from $156-$205 with the best lambs hitting 896c/kg cwt.
Numbers at Bendigo were increased to 24,300, boosted by 18,000 new season lambs. The trend of increasing spring lamb supplies has seen trade prices sitting either side of firm. Medium and heavy trade lambs 22-24kg sold from $162-$214 to average 780-811c/kg cwt. Heavy lambs dipped $5-$7 selling from $208-$234 averaging 829c/kg cwt. A highlight of the sale was the strong support from restockers who travelled from Hamilton, Echuca and Swan Hill. NLRS noted specialist store lamb finishers paid from $130-$150, while smaller lambs to turnout sold from $29-$126
At Ballarat new season trade lambs sold $10-$13 cheaper averaging 811c/kg cwt. Heavy lambs made from $213-$217
