Lamb consignments gained 7 per cent for a total of 78,910 head yarded at Meat and Livestock Australia’s National Livestock Reporting Service reported markets. Dubbo lost 37 per cent of its total to yard 13,160 lambs, as Tamworth increased by 6 per cent and offered 3750 head.

Forbes lifted by 27 per cent, for a total of 29,350 lambs, while CTLX increased by 39 per cent, to 6850 lambs. Wagga gained 25 per cent, for a total of 24,000 head.

Sheep numbers increased by 3 per cent for a total of 37,030 head penned. Dubbo yarded 10,070 head, as Tamworth offered 1810 sheep. Forbes penned 10,550 head, while CTLX consigned 6300 head.  Wagga offered 6500 sheep, only marginally higher week-on-week.

Quality mixed overall

Quality at Dubbo was mixed, with some good runs of heavy weights and only limited numbers of the ideal trade weights. Forbes yarded good numbers of well-finished lambs, along with percentages of the plainer secondary drafts. CTLX offered a mixed quality yarding, with some well finished trade and heavy weights, together with fair percentages of lightweight lambs. Quality at Wagga was very good throughout all weights and grades, while trade lambs were well supplied with greater numbers recently shorn. Heavy and extra heavy weights were well supplied, as the plainer secondary lambs lacking finish were reduced in number.

Lambs trend dearer

Lambs trended $2 to $5 dearer through the majority of the categories, as the trade weights ranged from $98 to $135/head, or an average from 529c to 535c/kg cwt. The heavier weights averaged from 527c to 553c/kg cwt, with the heaviest topping at $189/head. The best of the Merino lambs sold at $144/head.

Sheep trended marginally dearer, as the medium and heavy weights sold from $42 to $132/head. The better 2 to 4 score mutton averaged in the 329c to 399c/kg cwt range.