Lamb erratic but Mutton rises at Ballarat

Yarding: 37,301

Lamb numbers increased to 29,000, quality again varied over the yarding, trade weights ranged from plain to very good with a large portion of the yarding plainer light weights lacking finish. There was a limited offering of well finished heavy export lambs. Most of the usual buying group attended, again store buyers were keen on the lighter weights to feed on.

The market opened very strong over the light store type lambs then bidding become subdued for the start of the heavy export, then become erratic with dearer sales to last week and then much softer sales in places. However well bred lambs in short skins with good shape and finish still attracted the most interest. Light store lambs sold to $8 dearer while the light trade gained $5/head. Medium and heavy trade sold firm to $7/head Cheaper. Extra heavy export lambs had a limited offering and sold to $295/head, selling to $8 cheaper.

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Lambs back to the paddock made from $70 to $150/head. Light trade lambs under 18kg to suit MK orders sold from $96 to $165/head, averaging 780c to 830c/kg cwt. Trade lambs 18 to 22kg sold from $135 to $193/head, 22 to 26kg sold $183 to $240/head, to average 800c to 860c/kg with some sales down to 720c/kg cwt. Heavy export lambs over 26kg made from $212 to $295/head, to average of 810c to 850c/kg cwt. Hoggets from $34 to $167 for the Merino’s and $83 to $158/head for the crossbreds.

Mutton numbers dropped to 8,268 penned, quality was patchy throughout the yarding. All the usual buying group attended in a stronger market across all categories. Merino wethers made from $65 to $120 for the lighter weights, while the heavier weights sold from $130 to $150, gaining $9 to $15/head, to average 380c to 470c/kg cwt. Light weight Merino ewes made from $28 to $105, and the heavier weights sold from $109 to $140, to be $13/head stronger to average 350c to 450c/kg cwt. Heavy crossbred mutton made from $90 to $155, gaining $8 to $12/head and the lighter weights made from $30 to $92/head, to average 380c to 420c/kg cwt.

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