The reduction in lamb numbers at some eastern states markets last week helped lamb sales gain momentum. Prices became buoyant late last week, with even plainer lambs attracting more than a second glance from restockers and some processors.
Prices at physical markets in NSW have risen anywhere from $4-$10 in the space of a week. Many agents consider the upswing in price last week the start of a volatile time heading towards Australia Day public holiday and with the continuing dry hot conditions.
Wagga’s much smaller yarding of 16,000 lambs was representative of this, however there were also other influences at play due to the extreme temperatures. Wagga agents association reached out to producers via a text message last Wednesday stating management and agents had concerns over Animal Welfare for sheep and lambs at the sale due to the heat.
This resulted in a fall of more than 16,000 head overall. The shortage helped lift sales of trade lambs by up to $10, with the better finished selling from $140-$168 to average 664c/kg cwt. A limited line up of well finished heavy lambs pushed rates slightly higher due to the lack of weight. National Livestock Reporting Service (NLRS) data shows spikes into 670-690c/kg cwt range for select pens, overall the bulk were trading at 640c/kg cwt.
Griffith and Cowra sheep and lamb markets on Friday cancelled their sales due to the extreme temperatures.
There were high returns for lambs at Bendigo on Monday in a much smaller offering of 12,000 lambs and 8000 sheep. Heavy lambs hit $230 but it was the strong demand for trade weights that helped lift the price averages by more than $10, according to NLRS. It quoted a rise of $5-$17 for shorn trade lambs with rates breaking back through the 700c/kg cwt barrier. Heavy lambs gained up to $19 with the best heavy lambs over 30kg cwt averaging $226. Plain lighter weight lambs $1-$3 easier making from $125-$145.
Meanwhile it was an unsettled mutton market with fluctuating prices causing a wide price spread across most classes. Heavy crossbred ewes sold anywhere from $92 up to $140 to average 354c/kg cwt. Heavy merino ewes slipped $5 making from $96-$143. Trade sheep were $4-$5 easier, averaging 364c/kg cwt.
Lamb prices continued to rally on Tuesday at Ballarat following reduced offerings at other selling centres. A highlight of the sale was shorn lambs finished off fodder crops. There was urgency in the market for these well finished lambs which pushed trade lambs prices $5 to $10 higher to average 677c/kg cwt. The heaviest runs of lambs gained $5-$8 making from $166-$230 averaging 660-696c/kg cwt. Mutton generally sold from 320-420c/kg cwt.
