VENDORS sold 40,000 sheep and lambs at the Wagga market.
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According to Meat and Livestock Australia’s National Livestock Reporting Service there were more than 15,000 new-season lambs offered and quality was quite good for shorn trade and heavy lambs. Full fleeced trade lambs varied in quality, with many presenting dry in the skin.
Heavy shorn lambs were well supplied, with the bulk weighing 26-30kg cwt. The market was lack lustre over all weights and grades resulting in a hefty price correction.
Light weight secondary lambs were in greater supply, with restockers and feedlots cementing a floor in prices. Most of the usual buying group made it to the market, however not all major domestic or export processors operated or attended. Trade lambs were in reasonable supply, although quality varied and longer wool lambs showing dryness in the skin were discounted.
The bulk of new season trade lambs made from $123 to $164/head, averaging from 630c to 660c/kg cwt. Bidding was subdued for young heavy and extra heavy lambs, with buyers unwilling to push prices, resulting in several pen lots being passed in. Prices tracked $20/head cheaper and more in places. Shorn heavy lambs sold from $157 to $230/head to average 680c/kg cwt.
The cheaper price trends motivated local restockers over several weight categories. Light lambs to turnout sold from $53 to $110/head. Lambs with frame and weight to feed on sold from $123 to $165/head. It was a mixed quality offering of mutton, with all weights and grades represented. Heavy crossbred ewes sold $11/head cheaper to average 475c/kg cwt. Heavy Merino ewes were keenly sought by a northern processors, making from $122 to $155/head.
Merino wethers sold to weaker competition, making from $118 to $163/head. Trade sheep were well supplied selling $2 to $6/head cheaper. The bulk of the trade ewes made from $78 to $115/head to average from 415c to 429c/kg cwt. Light sheep were well supplied making from $37 to$84/head.