It was a no-brainer that sheep and lamb prices would rally once it rained and numbers disappeared at northern markets.
This was evident at Wagga on Thursday when the mutton market ran hot. The spectacular price surge for heavy mutton left many breathless, as some sales of medium and heavy sheep climbed above 600c/kg cwt.
Rates had no boundaries for weight or woolly Merino sheep despite several processors standing aside, unable to match the fierce bidding of Fletchers Dubbo and Thomas Food International.
Heavy sheep jumped $51 to record a top price of $237.20, while Merino wethers sold to $227.
For the week ending March 22, eastern sheep slaughter totalled 153,000, up 3 per cent week-on-week and up 24 per cent year-on-year
Secondary shorn lambs 18-20kg commanded $135-$145 to feed-on. The lamb market threw off a sluggish start caused by the mixed quality, with grain fed lambs spurring prices up $15-$20. Heavy lambs made $178-$247 with numerous sales above $200. Trade lamb quality was mixed and prices were $10-$20 dearer to average 689c/kg cwt.
At Griffith on Friday numbers lifted to 13,100 lambs and 4200 sheep. Rates rose across all categories.
Heavy export lambs felt the pressure of tightening supplies and were the highlight of the sale reaching $232, with the main run of heavy lambs selling $16 dearer averaging 642c/kg cwt.
A similar upward trend followed over in the trade market with gains of $14. The better covered trade lambs made $135-$178 to average 688c/kg cwt.
Buyers and agents all agree the flush of numbers through the summer will contribute to a shortage of stock and push rates considerably higher until winter.
Markets opened up dearer at all selling centres on Monday, with mutton the darlings at all centres.
The trade lamb market responded with stronger price trends, while there were some good results; NLRS said there was a decline in quality for trade lambs. Trade lambs sold $4-$6 dearer at Ballarat making $141-$175 averaging 700c/kg cwt.
Heavy lamb quality was excellent and the offering made price gains of $8-$12, making $172-$240 to average 674c/kg. Bidding strengthened for secondary lambs. Feedlots paid to a top price of $155, while well-bred lambs returning to the paddock fetched $98-$120.
The strongest competition for mutton this week was at Bendigo and most grades lifted $19-$42. Heavy merino sheep sold for $124-$222, while heavy crossbred ewes made $112-$230 averaging 546-628c/kg cwt, light and medium sheep sold at $65-$128.
