Lack of buyers at Wagga Wagga

Yarding - 53,000

Recent wet weather across the supply area has influenced the lamb market, affecting supply levels. While the wet conditions posed challenges for producers, it also led to an improvement in the quality of the lambs being offered. Notably, there were outstanding runs of shorn new season lambs, which attracted attention of all processors despite the overall market fluctuations.

One of the most notable changes in the market has been the reduction in buyer numbers. The absence of supermarket competition, coupled with the lack of participation from another major southern buyer, has created a more subdued sale. Additionally, there has been a decrease in export buyers at the market, further contributing to the softer demand. In the trade market, shorn lambs have been keenly sought after, with buyers eager to secure quality pens. Young new season lambs, however, must present in fresh condition to attract competitive bidding. The trade for lambs weighing between 21-24 kg saw prices ranging from $168 to $204, averaging 808/c/kg. Equally, lambs that lacked finish or presented dry in the wool sold for lower prices, approximately between 750c and 780/c/kg. Interestingly, the wet weather inspired restockers to become more active, resulting in a larger buying group at the market. Restocker lambs, particularly those with weight and frame, generally sold for about $10 more, fetching $96 to $142/head.

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In the export sale, limited supply across each agent’s run, pressured buyers to step up their bidding. The majority of heavy lambs available for export were shorn, with those weighing between 27-30kg selling for $230 to $279, averaging 883c/kg. For lambs over 30 kg, prices ranged from $277 to $293/head, averaging 836 c/kg.

It was a mixed quality yarding of mutton with all weights and grades represented. There wasn’t the urgency in the market like the previous sale . Trade sheep sold from $71 to $100 to average 316c to 334c/kg cwt. Heavy sheep made from $90 to $135/head to average 324c to 385c/kg cwt.

https://wagga.nsw.gov.au/business-investment/council-businesses/livestock-marketing-centre