With the latter weekly markets cancelled due to the Easter break, lamb consignments slipped 34 per cent week-on-week at MLA’s NLRS reported markets. The early sale at Dubbo defied the trend and lifted its numbers by 24%, for 19,780 head in total. Tamworth penned equal numbers, as Forbes slipped 19%, for a total of 20,835 lambs. CTLX lost 23%, as Goulburn also penned small consignments. Inverell continued its fortnightly sale and marketed 2,395, in total.

Sheep sales eased 23% week-on-week, as Dubbo offered 13,300 head, while Tamworth penned 2,550 head of mutton. CTLX offered 2,000, while Goulburn penned 2,200 sheep.

Quality remains mixed

Dubbo reported good quality medium and heavy weight lambs, together with high percentages of Dorpers. Fair numbers of trade and heavy weights were penned in a mixed quality selection at Forbes. CTLX yarded good percentages of 20kg to 24kg cwt lambs, along with fair runs of lightweights.

Merino ewes continue to be well supplied at the majority of the markets, with prices remaining buoyant throughout the week.

Dearer trends continue throughout most classes

Prices continue to improve as the shorter selling week contributed to strong competition. Lightweights (12kg to 18kg) suitable for restocker and processor orders, gained $7 to $8, with restockers paying to $126/head for the better bred drafts. Trade weights lifted $2 to $4/head on average, however some markets reported greater increases. The 20kg to 22kg pens averaged $138/head, or an average of 609¢/kg cwt. Heavy weights improved $5 to $7, as prices reached $208.50/head, this was attained for the extra heavy weights. Again the majority averaged over the 600c/kg cwt range.

Sheep trended dearer, week-on-week, as the medium and heavy weights ranged from $38 to $133/head. The better 2 to 4 score mutton, suitable for the processors, averaged from 300c to 438c/kg cwt, depending on weight and condition.