Sheep numbers increase
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NSW lamb supply, as reported by the MLA’s National Livestock Reporting Service, was close to firm week-on-week, for a total of 64,417 head. Even though throughput at CTLX increased by 2000 head and Inverell’s fortnightly sale was in operation with 2,177 head penned, smaller yardings at Dubbo (9,570 head), Forbes (10,650 head) and Goulburn (3,100 head) left overall supply unchanged. Wagga remained steady on last week, yarding 25,000 lambs.
Overall sheep supply increased by 4% week-on-week, to total 33,845 head. Wagga increased by 4 per cent, to 11,200 head, and Dubbo was up 56 per cent to 9,890 head. Forbes contracted 33 per cent to 6300, while CTLX increased 18 per cent to 4500 head. Inverell returned to yard 535 head, while Goulburn and Tamworth were back 42 per cent and 35 per cent, respectively, to both yard around 700 head.
Quality mixed and some seed contamination
Quality at Wagga was mixed, with an increased supply of light weight lambs showing dryness in the skin and seed contamination. Light seed contamination was also evident at Goulburn, however overall quality improved. Dubbo and Forbes also reported a mixed quality yarding, with the latter registering some good pens of finished lambs along with some lines of plainer dryer types. Quality at Tamworth and Inverell was fairly good, while the yarding at CTLX was of very high quality, with a good portion of trade and heavy new season lambs on display.
New season lambs trend dearer
With lamb numbers back slightly on last week, new season lamb prices lifted across most categories while old lambs sold to a mixed trend. Light new season lambs trended $3 to $5/head dearer, while some Merino lines averaged firm to easier. Trade weight new season lambs averaged $2 to $3 dearer, making from $79 to $124, to mostly average over $100, while heavy and extra heavy lines lifted $2 to $4, making from $100 to $147/head. Light weight old lambs sold to a mixed trend, while trade weights sold up to $3 dearer, selling from $76 to $116 and mostly averaging over $90/head.
Sheep prices eased as supplies increased, with most ewes averaging $2 to $4/head cheaper on last week. Light weight ewes sold from $22 to $75 and averaged $57, while medium and heavy lines mostly sold from $50 to $104/head. Merino wethers to restockers eased $4 to $5, with medium and heavy lines averaging from $70 to $100/head.