VENDORS sold 43,500 sheep and lambs at the Wagga market on Thursday.
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According to Meat and Livestock Australia’s national livestock reporting service the dry conditions forced more numbers into the market.
Quality was once again excellent across heavy lamb categories, while trade weight lambs with good finish were in short supply.
There were plenty of secondary lambs under 21kg carcase weight which suited processors and lot feeders. The market for trade lambs weakened while the heavy lamb market remained solid.
The trade market sold to weaker competition for medium and heavy weights to average 618c/kg cwt. Light trade weights were keenly sought by niche butcher orders and feedlots which helped cement a floor in prices. The better finished trade lambs sold from $13 to $142/head.
Restocker activity was limited with most light weight lambs selling to processors for up to $11/head cheaper. Well-bred second cross lambs to feed on made from $115 to $152/head.
Heavy and extra heavy lambs were well supplied and all companies operated.
Heavy lambs and extra heavy lambs sold firm to a few dollars cheaper selling from 158 to $228/head to average 590c to 603c/kg cwt.
It was a very mixed quality offering of mutton with all weights and grades represented. Most buyers were operating and demand increased with two major processors dominating the market. Heavy sheep sold up to $20 dearer recording a top price of 219.20/head.
Trade sheep sold from $86 to $148/head to average 520c/kg cwt. Light sheep made from $58 to $86/head.