Export Lambs cheaper and Sheep dearer at Bendigo

Yarding - 24,600 (+12,960).

Lambs - 12,960 (+11,560).

Sheep - 5800 (+1400).

There were 18,800 lambs yarded as numbers jumped following Easter and the cancelled market last Monday due to a public holiday. The supply of heavy export lambs over 30kg cwt was limited, while there was still reasonable numbers across the medium and heavyweight trade categories. All the regular buyers attended, but interest was described as just steady and the market did open cheaper before improving late in the sale for the better quality types. Agents quoted export lambs as $10 to $20 cheaper, while domestic stock varied from $10/head easier to firm on a fortnight ago. Some of the strongest competition shown by processors was for lines of MK or 'bag lambs' weighing 14-18kg cwt and these light weights did record the highest carcase rates of the market.

Heavy export lambs sold to a top of $275/head for crossbreds estimated at 33kg cwt with no skin value. Most of the heavy lambs, however, tracked under $250 to be in a range of $210 to $240/head, selling to a mix of export and domestic processing orders that pushed into pens weighing up to 27kg cwt. There was a quote of 760c to 810c/kg cwt across heavy lambs. The best drafts of domestic lambs, most grain assisted, sold from $180 to $210/head with most sales estimated between 780c to 820c/kg cwt by agents and buyers. Some select pens of nicely weighted trade lambs did sell at higher carcase rates. Merino lambs displaying good finish sold to $234, with most of the better quality trade pens from $160 to $220/head depending on size and potential skin return. Agents quoted a ballpark rate of 740c/kg cwt for Merino lambs. Bidding for any lines of light weight lambs suiting MK processing orders was strong at $140 to $170/head, with some buyers reporting average costs of around 950c/kg cwt. Very small and plain lambs from $100 to $130/head.

Just 5,800 sheep yarded despite the fortnight's selling break due to Easter. Once again the yarding featured some very good runs of heavy Merino wethers which sold from $170 to $220/head. Heavy Merino ewes made from $165 to $246, and big crossbred ewes sold from $170 to $240/head. Trade sheep made from $135 to $154/head. The sale was rated dearer on a carcass estimate, with most sheep tracking well over 700c/kg cwt. The stronger rates were driven by a handful of mutton exporters, with other buyers only securing minimal numbers.

https://www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/Services/Bendigo-Livestock-Exchange