SUCKER lambs soared to what is believed to be record highs after going under the hammer for $193.20 at Wagga.
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Despite the small offering of just 26,000 sheep and lambs a stand-out pen of Poll Dorset cross lambs from the Temora district stole the show.
Rodwells Wagga livestock agent Anthony Cummins said the lambs were estimated to weigh 29-kilograms dressed and were sold by Jeff Crawford of Sebastopol.
“These were the best lambs I have seen in Wagga,” Mr Cummins said.
Elders livestock manager, Joe Wilks of Wagga said rain certainly boosted confidence and because the yarding was smaller prices were higher.
“It was a numbers game … the buyers had to shop a bit higher to secure what they needed,” he said.
According to Meat and Livestock Australia’s National Livestock Reporting Service there were 9000 new-season lambs in the draw along with a mixed selection of old lambs in varying condition across all weights and grades.
The usual export and domestic buyers were in attendance and most companies were operating.
New-season lambs were in greater numbers and quality was outstanding.
Buyers were more enthusiastic to the previous sale and prices jumped $5 to $10/head. New season trade lambs sold from $122 to $167.20/head to average around 620c/kg cwt.
Heavy young lambs were in reasonable supply selling at $160 to $193/head. Light labs to the processors were keenly sought selling at $112 to $124/head. Buyers were forced to up the ante for old lambs with trade supplies tight. The bulk of the old trade lambs were firm to $3/head dearer to average 602c/kg cwt.
Merino trade lambs were in reasonable supply making from $122 to $158.20/head. Heavy lambs were in shorter supply and quality was good, with plenty of lambs weighing 30kg plus. Heavy lambs sold to a larger group of processors and averaged 598c/kg cwt.
The bulk of the extra heavy lambs sold to strong demand, selling from $164 to $210.20/head to average 580c to 592c/kg cwt. It was a mixed quality yarding of mutton, and not all buyers were operating. Heavy sheep sold to weaker bidding with prices falling up to $14/head to average 366c to 387c/kg cwt. Trade sheep were well supplied making from $94 to $125/head to average 430c/kg cwt.