Lamb supplies increase
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Lambs at MLA’s NLRS reported markets increased by 23 per cent week-on-week, for a total of 79,830 head. Dubbo commenced the week to more than triple its numbers, at 21,000 lambs, with the cancellation of the next market (due to the holiday weekend) and the previous sale being affected by wet weather contributing to the increase. Tamworth penned 3300 lambs, as Forbes lifted by 4 per cent, to yard 18,750 head. CTLX and Wagga offered similar numbers at 9500 and 23,000 lambs, respectively, while Inverell continued its fortnightly market to yard 2,480 head.
Sheep sales increased by 34% for an offering of 37,370 head. Dubbo penned 11,400 head, as Forbes offered 5,450 sheep. CTLX yarded 4700 head, as Wagga, totalled 11,000 sheep.
Quality overall was mixed
At Dubbo, it was a mixed quality yarding, with good numbers of excellent heavy weight lambs. Tamworth was also mixed, ranging from well-finished heavy weights down to some fairly plain quality light weights. Forbes offered good numbers of well-finished lambs, with the heavy and extra heavy weights making up the bulk offered. CTLX penned a plainer quality yarding, with numbers of young lambs lacking finish, as good runs of Merino lambs were also in the penning. Quality slipped at Wagga, week-on-week, however there were good numbers of supplementary fed young shorn lambs presented.
Lamb prices trend lower
Cheaper trends were evident throughout most lamb categories, this week, as the new season trade weights slipped $5 to $6/head for an average from 522c to 534c/kg cwt.
The older lambs trended $3 to $4 cheaper, as the trade weights sold from $94 to $137/head, or an average of 537c to 549c/kg cwt. The heavier weights to the exporters topped at $198/head, to be firm compared to the previous markets and averaged in the 535c to 573c/kg cwt range.
Sheep sold to variable trends, as some markets sold dearer, while others sold to cheaper trends. The medium and heavy weights ranged from $46 to $139/head, the latter for heavy weight Merino wethers with a good skin value.