It was a dry week with mild temperatures recorded as winter edges closer towards spring.
Paddock feed is still thin on the ground in many places with producers either feeding out or running animals off their own reserves.
Producers sought to take quick advantage of the favourable weather and last week’s strong prices, creating an influx of lambs.
Overall yardings increased by 23%, with the greatest change at Ballarat which yarded 51% more lambs. Horsham’s yarding was larger by 31%. Bendigo drew 7% more while Hamilton only increased 4%.
New season lambs are starting to return to the markets after several months of absence. These were generally well finished and of good quality.
The quality of the shorn lambs was plain to average, with only a few better quality lines scattered throughout the sales.
The overall trend was cheaper this week, with early sales least affected and prices falling further as the week progressed and orders filled. All the usual buyers were present and operating across selling centres.
As in previous weeks, restockers did attend however bought too few consignments to have any influence on the light lamb market.
Yardings of sheep took a sharp rise, being 43% higher than last week. Bendigo accounted for the single largest increase, being more than double week on week. Ballarat increased by 33% while Hamilton and Horsham both drew 29% more sheep.
Sheep continued to sell to good demand, maintaining last week’s prices despite the continuing poor quality of the offering.
Mutton holds amongst falls
Prices retreated this week for all lamb categories however mutton demand was strong enough to keep prices fair to slightly dearer.
Young lambs were mostly well finished heavier trade weights and topped at $116 or 512¢, the selling price was $114/head or 489¢/kg cwt.
Light 2 score lambs reduced by 18¢ to sell for 405¢/kg cwt. The light 2 score Merinos fell 12¢ to sell at 407¢ while the first-cross lambs were 17¢ cheaper at 447¢/kg cwt.
Processors paid 17¢ less for light 3 score lambs at an average 449¢/kg cwt. Trade weight 2 score lambs gained 11¢ to be make 436¢/kg cwt.
A large yarding of trade weight 3 scores sold 29¢ cheaper for 449¢/kg cwt. A similar sized yarding of heavy 3 scores sold 29¢ cheaper for 439¢/kg cwt. Heavy 4 scores reduced 30¢ and sold for 418¢ while extra heavy 4 scores were unchanged at 418¢/kg cwt.
Light 1 score Merino ewes gained 26¢ to make 330¢ while the 2 scores were 2¢ cheaper at 371¢/kg cwt. Medium 2 score Merino ewes were up 18¢ at 362¢, however the 3 scores were down by 15¢ at 337¢/kg cwt.
The 4 score extra heavy ewes were 12¢ cheaper at 282¢ while the 4 score first-cross sold 4¢ lower at 294¢/kg cwt.
Source: MLA.com
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