Mutton shines as Lamb quality drops off at Bendigo

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Yarding - 23,300 (-10,310).

Lambs - 14,000 (-4750).

Sheep - 9000 (-5560).

There was a cut in numbers this week with 14,100 lambs yarded, nearly 5,000 less than a week ago. Quality continues to slip with most of the lead runs of young lambs from the area now sold. Fewer lambs above 26kg were available. In dollar per head terms results for the best slaughter lambs were similar to a week ago at up to $220/head. However, when less weight and carcass finish were factored-in across the mixed yarding, carcass price results were dearer. Overall the market showed a lift of $5 to $10/head across most grades. Some larger lines of very well bred young store lambs from the Yea and Mansfield area inspired restockers and sold at dearer rates, the main buying agency being from Rainbow in the Mallee.

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Heavy young lambs sold to $220 for an estimated 29kg, and there was only half a dozen pens with enough size to make over $200/head. The main selection of 24kg to 26kg unshorn lambs, $185 to $197, and the neater trade weights 22kg to 24kg from $172 to $188/head. There wasa lot of plainer young lambs, 18kg to 22kg, from $140 to $170/head. Buyers are showing stronger interest in recently shorn young lambs in fresh condition, and these sold to $205/head. There was a better selection of well-bred store lambs this week, which was reflected in the stronger results. The main run of young lambs to the paddock, 16kg to 18kg, from $131 to $152, to average $146/head. Smaller store lambs sold from $100 to $125/head.

Sheep numbers dipped below 10,000 head this week, with the tighter supply helping create another very buoyant mutton market. Estimated carcass rates stepped-up again, with big crossbred ewes pushing towards 600c and lines of good Merinos comfortably trading above 600c/kgcwt. The heaviest crossbred ewes sold from $160 to $220/head, with bidding again led by an interstate processor. Very heavy Merino whether judged at 40kg topped at $240, and big Merino ewes at $222/head. The general run of sheep sold between $130 and $180, with very few sales under $100/head

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