Buyers

Sheep slaughter increased 120% weekon-week after dipping below 2022 levels. This follows shutdown periods as well as seasonal lows during joining season. Sheep yardings are beginning to increase again as weaning is completed and producers cull older ewes retained during the rebuild.

Sheep slaughter has remained elevated this year, with total yearly slaughter 63% or 1,636,779 head higher year-to-date. Last year, producers were still retaining ewes for breeding due to favourable seasonal conditions and strong restocking remand. This week, NSW sheep slaughter increased by 148% week-on-week and Tasmania increased by 121%.

Processors’ prioritisation of kill floor space between lambs and sheep continues to play out, with an easing in lamb kill numbers recorded this week. NSW lamb slaughter eased by 5% or 5,429 head. Tasmanian lamb slaughter had the largest percentage change week-on-week, softening by 21%.

In the sheep and lamb saleyards, the return of key supermarket, processor and export buyers has been helping demand in a market with increasing yardings. For cattle, there was some activity from southern buyers in northern saleyards, which is typical for this time of year and supports prices in these areas.

Good winter conditions in the south should result in good lamb and calf drops this season. These new-season young lambs should start moving through the market in the coming months.

Current Yarding

Total Yarding: 55250 (-5750) | Sheep Yarding: 11550 (-3450) | Lamb Yarding: 43700 (-2300)

By LEANN DAX, MLA market reporter

THE sale had a big percentage of lambs in the offering pushed off crop regardless of finish. The tempo of the market was $10 to $30 cheaper.

The new price level meant all buyers were keen to secure numbers. A major supermarket did not operate, while another key export processors watched the sale.

Woolly lambs and off types were discounted. Light lamb values were hit hard, with no depth in the restocking ranks and lack lustre demand from processors.

Trade competition was infrequent and prices fluctuated around quality, with recently shorn lambs paid the premium prices.

There were a few pens of new season trade lambs and they sold from $108 to $146/head. Old trade lambs 21kg to 26kg sold from $86 to $117 to average 459c/kg cwt.

Light weight lambs to the processors ranged from $12 to $76/head. Merino lambs sold from $86 to $95/head.

In the heavy export market weight and shorter skinned lambs attracted the strongest bidding. The lower values for heavy exports saw extra buyers enter the fray and all sales met solid demand.

The bulk of the heavy export lambs sold up to $15 to $22 cheaper. Lambs 26kg to 30kg sold at $115 to $155/ head.

Over the 30kg made from $150 to $179/head to average 460c/kg cwt. It was a small group buyers at the rail.

There was little competition amongst the group, with buyers happy to take a back seat throughout the sale. Heavy Merino ewes and wethers sold from $69 to $115 to average 318c/ kg cwt.

Heavy crossbred ewes made from $75 to $112/ head. Trade sheep with cover averaged 213c to 240c/kg cwt.

Current Yarding

Total Yarding: 11608 (-1177) | Sheep Yarding: 4600 (-1000) | Lamb Yarding: 7008 (-177)

LAMB numbers were similar with the quality plain. Most lambs were lacking condition and weight and were in two score condition. Trade lambs were well supplied. There were only a few heavy and extra heavy weights offered. Restocking interest was very quiet.

The market fell around $15 to $20/head on the better end of the trade lambs, secondary lambs were back $30 to $35/head. The two score processing lambs to 18kg cwt sold from $25 to $70/head. The trade weights 20 to 22kg$67 to $97 and the 22 to 24kg lambs $71 to $114/head averaging 445c/kg.