Lamb numbers, as reported by the MLA’s NLRS, lifted 10 per cent week-on-week to 77,275 head. Dubbo gained 27 per cent, to offer 14,500 lambs, while Tamworth yarded equal numbers to last week, at 1775 head.

Forbes defied the higher trend to slip 6 per cent, at 12,650 head, while CTLX lifted 12 per cent to offer 18,750 head. Wagga yarded 24,400 lambs, only marginally higher compared to the last week. Inverell continued its fortnightly market and sold 3103 lambs.

Sheep sales remained similar to last week, at 36,491 head. Dubbo penned 10,150 head, Forbes offered 8300 sheep while numbers at CTLX halved to 3050 head. Wagga lifted 16 per cent, to pen 9800 head, while Tamworth offered 2185 head.

Quality mixed

Dubbo offered only a fair quality penning, with Merino lambs well-supplied, together with a good supply of light weight crossbreds. Lamb quality improved at Forbes, with good numbers of well-finished shorn lambs in the yarding. Quality at CTLX was again good, with a high percentages of trade and heavy weight new seasons.

Wagga offered increased supplies of longer wool secondary lambs in plainer condition and the portion of young shorn lambs doubled in number. There was also an increased supply of supplementary fed lambs above 26kg cwt in the offering.

Lamb prices trend higher

New season lambs lifted $4 to $8/head, across all categories. The trade weights ranged from $89 to $136/head or an average price between 522c and 530c/kg cwt. The heavy weights reached $149/head and averaged around the 488c to 493c/kg cwt range. The older lambs also trended marginally dearer, with trade weights averaging 486c, while the heavier drafts averaged in the 471c to 504c/kg cwt range. The trade and heavy weight Merino lambs ranged from $76 to $113/head.

Sheep struggled to maintain firm prices, with the 2 to 4 score medium and heavy weights more suited for the processors averaging from 274c to 320c/kg cwt.