Price reflected quality for new and old season Lambs at Bendigo

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Yarding - 20,000 (+4,456).

Lambs - 12,000 (+954).

Sheep - 8,000 (+3,502).

There was a slight increase in numbers as more new season lambs came forward, with the draw including 4,050 young lambs. All the regular buyers attended, although many are still not operating fully. Prices were reflecting quality, across both the young and old season yardings.

The best young lambs sold at similar rates to a week ago, while the general run of trade weights were $5 to $10/head easier. Likewise, there was sales of better presented shorn lambs that matched last week's prices, while plainer and long-wool types were discounted. The overall trend for old season lambs above 20kg cwt was cheaper. Light weight lambs were often dearer due to limited supplies in the market.

The heaviest new season lambs in the 26-30kg cwt range sold from $225 to a top of $231/head. The main run of heavy trade weights, 24-26kg cwt, made from $204 to $224 to average $213/head. Most buyers were working on skin values of $4 to $5/skin across these lambs.Medium domestic young lambs mostly $156 to $180/head. There were no major lines of young store lambs to suit restockers. On a carcase basis, a good run of young lambs was estimated as costing processors from 770c to 820c/kg cwt.

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The extra heavy old lambs were mostly in small pen lots which affected results, making from $225 to $235/head. The better finished tradeweight old lambs sold from $180 to $220/head. Secondary and mixed pens of old season lambs were erratic at $147 to $190/head, with woolly pens discounted. The market did show a wide carcase price spread of just below 700c to 800c for the best shorn trade weights, with the bulk of sales estimated between 720c to 780c/kg cwt. Light weight lambs sold from $115 to $145/head and were dearer on a limited quote.

Sheep numbers have started to flow again as ewes are shorn and sold following lamb weaning. Around 8,000 sheep were yarded and quality was impressive, with a lot of heavy ewes and wethers in fat score 3 and 4 presented. Despite the big lift in numbers competition for mutton remained robust. Heavy Merino ewes over 24kg cwt, and well above 30kg at times sold from $139 to $195 to average $164/head. Leaner and lighter trade weight ewes made from $109 to $143/head. Extra heavy Merino wethers sold to $212/head. Big crossbred ewes were cheaper for a top of $190/head for a lot of weight. Good mutton was trending between 560c to 620c/kg cwt

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

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Ad - Glendemar MPM - Open Day is on the 20th of September and our Ram Sale is on the 2nd of October - Ad