Reset on Mutton prices at Wagga Wagga

Yarding - 80,050

In an unprecedented turn of events for autumn, agents offered a record yarding. There was a significant increase in both lamb and sheep numbers. With no rain in sight, water scarcity, and the absence of an autumn break, farmers are feeling the pressure. Compounding these issues are the looming public holidays, including Easter and Anzac Day, which have prompted many producers to offload their stock in anticipation of no rain on the horizon.

The quality of the lambs and sheep was notably mixed, with all weights and grades represented. A large field of buyers attended, including major supermarkets that actively competed for the neater, short-skinned trade lambs. Overall, the market remained solid across all categories. In the trade market, shorter-skinned lambs were particularly sought after, leading to stronger competition among buyers. In contrast, woolly types faced challenges, resulting in a wider price spread throughout the classes. Trade lambs weighing between 20-24 kg sold for prices ranging from $153 to $228, averaging between 800-823c/kg cwt. Meanwhile, Merino trade lamb prices were erratic, with sales fluctuating between $146 and $215/head. Heavy Merino lambs fared slightly better, commanding prices from $217 to $238/head.

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Light lambs attracted considerable interest from a diverse array of buyers, including processors, restockers, and feedlot operators. This heightened competition contributed to a price floor, with some sales experiencing moderate increases. Prices for lambs destined for restocking and feeding ranged from $95 to $178, showcasing the varied demand across different buyer categories. It was a robust export market, particularly for grain-fed lambs that had been on grain for a considerable time. These lambs were in outstanding condition, providing buyers with excellent yields and a compelling reason to step up in the market. As the sale progressed, momentum built steadily, with buyers increasingly willing to pay higher prices for quality stock. Notably, lambs weighing over 30/kg cwt saw significant interest, with prices reaching between $250 and $284/head, marking a $6 increase from previous sales. Meanwhile, lambs in the 26-30 kg range remained firm, with prices ranging from $228 to $263/head. This stability suggests a healthy market for heavy lambs, as buyers continue to seek out quality.

It was a very mixed quality offering of mutton that was offered to a smaller field of buyers, particularly across heavy grades. On Heavy sheep a northern processors dominated the market. Heavy sheep sold to erratic bidding as buyers set new price parameters from the previous market. Heavy sheep sold $80 to $119 per head cheaper. Heavy sheep made from $120 to $176/head 430c to 445c/kg cwt. Trade sheep were well supplied and they sold on average $44 to $55 cheaper, the bulk making from $81 to $136/head. Plain light mutton sold at $54 to $77/head.

https://wagga.nsw.gov.au/business-investment/council-businesses/livestock-marketing-centre