Solid market at Bendigo on Monday

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Yarding - 38,800 (+2800).

Lambs - 24,800 (-200).

Sheep - 14,000 (-3000).

Lamb numbers remained similar, and quality was again led by some excellent heavy young lambs from southern grazing areas like Euroa, Pyalong and Mansfield. Once off the top drafts some variance in carcass finish and skin presentation was evident as the season drys out. There was more genuine competition between exporter companies which helped support prices for the best heavy lambs. The major domestic buyers were also keen, and there was little price change across the best quality heavy lambs weighing over 24kg. Specialist restockers from Ballarat operated again and competed against processors for trade weight lambs to shear, paying to $199/head. There was price fluctuations over the medium and lighter lambs which were mostly $2 to $5/head easier.

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One stand-out pen of heavy young lambs weighing over 30kg topped the market at $248/head. The next highest price was $228/head. Most of the lead drafts of young lambs weighed from 26kg to 28kg and sold from $208 to $225/head, with buyers generally giving them a $4 skin value. The freshest 24kg to 26kg lambs, $190 to $225 to still average just over $200/head. Bidding wasn't as consistent over the general run of domestic lambs, with the 22kg to 24kg from $170 to $198 and the 20kg to 22kg from $155 to $177/head. These lambs did record softer price results. There was an estimated carcass price spread of 720c to 800c over the bulk of the yarding, with the better processing lambs averaging from 750c to 780c/kg cwt. Not as much store competition on lighter lambs this week, with most sales from $115 to $145/head.

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A bigger yarding of sheep, and once again there was a lot of heavy mutton on offer. Support continues to be fickle, with some exporters that were strong last week backing off this market and others coming in. The result was another fluctuating market, with heavy sheep generally $2 to $10/head easier. In comparison prices for light weight mutton with reasonable fat cover remained robust, supported by limited supplies. Heavy crossbred ewes $144 to $192; heavy Merino ewes $148 to $180; and heavy Merino wethers $150 to $200/head. A range of 480c to620c covered most sales, for an overall result that had good mutton averaging from 550c to 600c/kg cwt

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