Positives - Mutton much dearer at Ballarat

Yarding: 39,474

Less lambs at 27,000 and less quality, the yarding dominated by store, feeder and MK processing lambs under 21kg cwt. There was a noticeable drop in the number of heavy lambs over 30kg cwt after some price gyrations for export grades at saleyards on Monday. Price results for the few heavy lambs varied, the sale still managing to post a headline top of $316/head for a pen of super-heavies which were mates of the lambs which have been making $300 plus here in the past month. But other export weighted lambs were cheaper in this sale. The price trend across trade lambs was also weaker by $10 and more at times. Still receiving strong support were light lambs thanks to solid bidding from processors for MK ‘bag lamb’ orders, winter feeders and store orders.

The few heavy export lambs penned sold from $245 to a top of $316/head and the estimated carcass cost was lower than a week ago. There was also a softer result for the heavy 26-30kg cwt lambs at $210 to $230, but again on limited numbers offered. The main run of heavy trade lambs, 24-26kg cwt, sold from $180 to $202/head, followed by the medium and quality lighter trades at $160 to $188/head.

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On a carcass basis most of the major lamb weight and grade categories were averaging between 760c toy 790c/kg. Light lambs showing good shape and breed quality consistently made from $145 to $162, the main run of 18-20kg cwt lambs to MK processors averaging $153/head. Store buyers also stepped into some leaner trades lambs at up to $168/head. The price point for smaller store lambs was mostly $100 to $135/head.

Mutton sold at much dearer levels and was a highlight of the sale, with heavy ewes and wethers selling above 500c/kg cwt at times. An impressive line of grainfed Merino wethers, bare shorn and extra heavy at 38kg cwt plus, sold to a top of $198/head. Heavy crossbred and meat ewes were also keenly supported at $144 to a top of $183/head. Plainer sheep in score 2 and 1 condition did out-number the heavier and prime conditioned lots, reflecting the season. Plain and light sheep mostly $60 to $110 for shorn pens and up to $125 for those will some wool return. The most secondary light sheep $30 to $55/head.

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