LAMB and sheep numbers increased, as selling resumed following the Labour Day public holiday.
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There was a good selection of heavy export lambs, while quality and finish was more mixed over the trade and light weight lambs.
Processor competition was much weaker compared to the last sale held at the centre a fortnight ago. Most lambs averaged $10 easier; however, there were falls of up to $20/head recorded for some of the heaviest export lambs and also the plainer trade lambs about 18-20kg cwt.
Price results did vary based on quality, with the better bred and nicely presented trade and store lambs holding their value the best, while secondary and small pen lots of plain and mixed lambs were severely discounted at times.
While the usual buyers were present, feedback suggests most meatworks currently have plentiful supplies of lambs around them.
Also affecting the market this week was lower skin values, with buyers working on returns of $3 to $6 for the cleaner skins more than one inch, with no value put on short-wool and recently shorn pelts.
The market did reach a top of $160 for a pen of export lambs, estimated to have a carcass weight of about 32kg; however, sales over $150/head were limited to just a few pens across the yarding.
Prices for light weight lambs fluctuated depending on quality and finish. Restockers from Swan Hill, Ballarat, Finley and the local Bendigo area still gave solid support to the better-bred lines of recently shorn store weights, with lines making $85 to $92/head.
Processor bidding was selective and most light weight slaughter lambs under 21kg sold from $74 to $100/head.
The best quality trade lambs suitable for the top domestic orders sold from $112 to $130/head, ranging from about 480¢ to 530¢, to average about 500¢ to 510¢/kg cwt. Export demand was subdued and most heavy lambs, 26-30kg, sold from $132 to $149/head, averaging from 470¢ to 490¢/kg cwt.
The cheaper trend flowed through into the mutton sale, where not all buyers competed. Prices were significantly cheaper compared to a fortnight ago, with the general run of sheep costing processors an estimated 290¢ to 320¢/kg cwt, with odd sales of Merinos higher.
In dollar per head terms only very heavy ewes, or Merinos in a big skin, made over $100/head.
Producers please note: All lambs and sheep presented for sale must be curfewed prior to transport in line with industry standards. Lambs and sheep should be crutched and well presented for sale. Current 2013 NVDs should be filled in and completed correctly. If you require any assistance with the new NVD , please contact your agent. NVDs must accompany all stock.
AVERAGES
LAMBS
AW Ogden & Son (160) Wanalta $160.00
C & N Wiltshire (55) Prairie $158.00
P & L Ryan (152) Euroa $152.00
R Barlow (60) Wanalta $148.60
R Sevrin (28) Echuca $148.00
J Dalrymple (12) Dingee $148.00
B & E Kerlin (70) Corop $147.00
M Borger (78) Colbinabbin $146.00
A Ritchie (152) Wycheproof $145.20
I Gray (41) Echuca $145.00 D & V Couper (34) Boort $145.00
SN & DA Collins (59) Bridgewater Nth $145.00
F & M Grieves (40) Raywood $144.00
G Reid & Son P/L (70) Colbinabbin $144.00
Rinaldi Farms (303) Womboota $144.00
B Wootton (51) Rushworth $143.20
Strathfillan Past (82) Stuart Mill $142.00
M Ryan (91) Colbinabbin $141.00
EK & SJ Stone (56) Eastville $141.00
T & K Campbell (20) Macorna $141.00
Cazna Park P/L (24) Junee $140.00
R & D Last (70) Fiery Flat $140.00
D & S Lloyd (59) Stuart Mill $139.60
R & H Last (44) Fiery Flat $137.00
T & K Dobson (22) Echuca $135.00
S Harbour (10) Tennyson $134.00
K & J Keating (74) Campbells Forest $133.00
O'Sullivan Farms (58) Goornong $133.00
I & J Whatley (50) Goornong $129.00
I & J Watts (56) Coonooer Bridge $129.00
P Condelly (31) Kerang $128.00
TW McCormaick &Sons (80) Elmore $128.00
AB & RL Mountjoy (91) Raywood $127.60
P & T O'Hallaran (45) Mansfield $127.00
DJ & ED Lees (200) Rochester $127.00
B,L,A & K Broom (52) Neereman $127.00
A McLean (110) Rushworth $127.00
AL & G Lloyd (49) Stuart Mill $126.50
G & S Moore (30) Euroa $126.20
W Whatley (116) Goornong $126.00
AP & M Demassi (55) Mansfield $125.00
B & E Lester -Smith (111) Woodend $125.00
EJ & SE Vanston (70) Salisbury West $124.00
G & C McKInnon (48) Pyramid Hill $124.00
M Rinaldi (33) Moolort $123.60
G Freemantle (106) Baringhup $123.00
GF Briggs (62) Rochester $121.00
MERINO LAMBS
D Tuohey (47) Gunbower $116.20
DW & FM Pascoe (77) Raywood $109.00
G Chandler (86) Barham $86.00
MERINO WETHERS
WA & JK Bellenger (84) Arnold $89.00
SJ & MJ White (94) Sidonia $86.00
PL & SM Hayes (95) Lancefield $83.00
O'Sullivan Trading (131) Elmore $79.00
CROSSBRED EWES
Grantjean P/L (94) Boort $100.00
S & B Zagame (50) Charlton $100.00
Womboota Past (58) Womboota $97.00
Burrundool Past (105) Euroa $95.00
SW & RL Parsons (43) Mansfield $92.00
T Porter (50) Hay $91.00
MERINO EWES
PE Anderson (183) Mia Mia $98.00
Pyramid Hill Football Club (68) Pyramid Hill $97.00
Max Perry P/L (235) Nagambie $89.00
J & L Cartwright (63) Raywood $87.00
B Olive (98) Wedderburn $83.00
S & T Jackson (86) Kinypanial $80.00
T Porter (64) Hay $76.00
Order of sale for week ending March 28: Elders 1 & 3; FP Nevins & Co 4 & 1; Ellis Nuttall & Co 5 & 2; Rodwells 6 & 4; Landmark 3 & 5; McKean & McGregor 2 & 6.