VENDORS sold 60,000 sheep and lambs at the Wagga market on Thursday.
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According to Meat and Livestock Australia’s National Livestock Reporting Service there were more than 33,000 new-season lambs offered and quality was fair to mixed.
There was bigger numbers of lambs presenting dry in the skin and lacking finish. Competition was subdued which resulted in prices falling significantly over most categories.
The usual group of buyers attended, however, not all major domestic processors operated fully. Despite a reduction in supplies of new season trade lambs, prices dipped up to $30/head. The bulk of new season trade lambs made from $128 to $185/head averaging 730c/kg cwt.
The steep decline was attributed to big supplies further south, and buyers having plenty of choice at other selling centres. Bidding was erratic for young heavy and extra heavy lambs, with not all export buyers competing. Prices tracked $24 to $31/head cheaper to average 760c/kg cwt.
Heavy and extra heavy lambs made from $180 to $240/head.
There was a big field of store buyers competing strongly over all weight classes. Light lambs to turnout sold from $41 to $87/head. Lambs with more frame and weight to feed on sold at $134 to $178/head. Sheep prices have fallen from the good returns of recent weeks as the relentless dry conditions takes its toll. Heavy Merino ewes recorded a top price of $155/head to average 405c/kg cwt.
Heavy crossbred ewes sold $18/head cheaper to average 396c/kg cwt. Trade sheep were well supplied selling from $71 to $115/head, averaging 380c to 421c/kg cwt.
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