Lambs off a bit at Bendigo

Yarding - 34,658

Lamb numbers increased to 25,758 to be up 6000 head on a week ago. Quality was mixed with more young lambs starting to come through showing signs of having dried off. The tone of the market was softer however price results did vary around quality and freshness for a quote of firm to $5 to $10/head easier for processing lambs. The varied outcome meant the carcass price spread widened over the trade and heavy categories, sales from an estimated 760c to 840c in many classes. Store lambs, however, generally held their value, particularly any bigger lines of light weight types. There were orders back operating from Albury, South Gippsland, Ballarat, Echuca, Shepparton and Rainbow.

The heaviest export young lambs up around 32kg cwt sold to a top of $275/head, however only half a dozen pens sold above $250/head in this sale. Most of the lead runs of young lambs in the 26-30kg cwt range sold from $200 to $245/head. A lot of the increase in numbers was over the trade and store lamb categories. The main run of 22-24kg cwt trade lambs from $162 to $193 to average $180/head.

The Farmers Club - For Ag Enthusiasts. Join The Farmers Club here. 

In the store lambs the bigger framed types in the 18-20kg cwt range sold from $121 to $159 to average $142 back to the paddock. Specialist Ballarat finishers paid to $190 for trade lambs to shear. A strong point of the store run was lightweight lambs in the 12-18kg cwt range which averaged dearer at $68 to $147/head.

Processors stepped-up the rate for mutton, and there was a good run of heavy sheep in the yarding today. Sheep prices gained $10 to $20/head. Big crossbred ewes mostly $95 to $125, with just odd sales higher to $145. Lead of the Merinos with weight and skin values $90 to $122. General run of trade and light sheep $55 to $90/head. While extra heavy ewes remained under 300c/kg, good runs of mutton were estimated as costing processors from 320c to 360c/kg cwt - some young Merino wethers into the 400c/kg price range.

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