Some categories dearer at Ballarat

Yarding: 36,000

Lamb numbers lifted to 28,200 head as the industry returned to a full production week after Anzac Day. The market opened strongly on light and medium trade lambs before settling as the auction progressed. There was a scattering of dearer results across the yarding for the very best lambs in short skins, but this was balanced out by some weaker results on the general run of trade lambs. 

Heavy export lambs also varied and the strongest results were late in the auction for big lambs with plenty of weight, the top price being $270 for crossbreds estimated around 38kg cwt. Overall the market remained in a similar price brand to last week of 650c to 690c/kg cwt for most processing lambs. The spikes over 700c tended to be for neat and well shaped trade lambs in very short-skins  that suited top-end domestic orders including the supermarkets.  Heaviest export lambs $198 to a top of $270 with the majority of sales from $210 to $250/head. The heavy 26-30kg lambs sold from $166 to $206 to average a ballpark 660c/kg to processors. Heavy trade lambs, 24-26kg cwt, from $154 to $185 trending between 660c to 680c/kg cwt. Medium trade lambs 22-24kg cwt $140 to $171 to also average around 660c/kg cwt. Lighter lambs had some strong results, buyers noting the looming Greek Easter festival as well as orders into the Middle East trade. Crossbred lambs in the 18-20kg lamb from $119 to $145/head. Smaller MK style lambs mostly $60 to $115/head. 

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The sheep market was firm to a few dollars dearer, although the trend of most sheep selling from $60 to $90 regardless of weight continued. Big crossbred ewes $80 to $108, while Merino ewes in higher value skins reached $110. Better processing lines of mutton estimated at 230c to 300c/kg cwt for a ballpark average of 260c/kg on the main heavier runs. Very light sheep in score 1 condition from $1 to $30/head.

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