VENDORS sold 41,000 sheep and lambs at the Wagga market on Thursday which was down from the initial draw.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
According to Meat and Livestock Australia’s National Livestock Reporting Service, numbers remained similar to the previous week.
Quality was excellent across heavy lamb categories while trade lambs varied in condition. Processors operated selectively across lamb categories, with the heavy lamb categories attracting strong competition. Once again, secondary lambs under 21kg carcase weight were well supplied.
The market was stronger overall. The trade market sold to stronger competition with well-shaped, shorter skinned lambs keenly sought.
Trade lamb prices generally strengthened $3/head to average 625c/kg cwt. Restocker activity was limited, which distorted price trends, while feedlot buyers did not attend. Heavy and extra heavy lambs were well supplied and all companies operated.
Heavy lambs and extra heavy lambs were in greater numbers and quality was outstanding, which was reflected in prices, which improved up to $10/head. Heavy lambs and extra heavy lambs sold from $164 to 238/head.
The highest price recorded was $240/head for a pen of 220 lambs weighing approximately 44kg cwt. It was a very mixed quality offering of mutton with all weights and grades represented.
Most buyers were operating. Buyers were more selective in this market, as heavy crossbred ewes eased $10 to $24/head to average 472c/kg cwt. Merino ewe mutton eased in price a few dollars for the heavy categories, while trade Merino sheep declined $6/head to average 450c/kg cwt.
RELATED:
Rural journalist with Fairfax media based in the Riverina.
Rural journalist with Fairfax media based in the Riverina.
