Lamb throughput at Wagga increased 27%, to 28,000 head, and quality was very good across new season lamb categories. Old season lamb numbers declined and quality was mixed, with limited numbers of supplementary fed lines. All the regular buyers operated and restocker competition was strong for new season lambs in good condition.
Sheep consignments were 12% higher, at 7,850 head, with a fair percentage of recently shorn medium weights penned. Heavy crossbred ewes attracted keen demand.
New season trade weight 3 score lambs eased 3¢ and averaged 564¢/kg cwt
New season heavy weight 3 score lambs lifted 6¢ on 597¢/kg cwt
Old season light weight 3 score lambs were up 6¢ on 521¢/kg cwt
Trade weight 3 score lambs gained 21¢ on 538¢/kg cwt
Heavy weight 3 score lambs fell 18¢ and averaged 572¢/kg cwt
Extra heavy 4 score lambs declined 9¢ on 576¢/kg cwt
Medium weight 3 score Merino ewes slipped 6¢ and averaged 365¢/kg cwt
At the close of Thursday’s markets:
The eastern states restocker lamb indicator eased 4¢ on 542¢/kg cwt
Merino lambs were back 5¢ on 519¢/kg cwt
Light lambs slipped 7¢ on 542¢/kg cwt
Trade lambs declined 3¢ on 579¢/kg cwt
Heavy lambs lost 1¢ on 585¢/kg cwt
The mutton indicator was 1¢ higher and finished on 368¢/kg cwt
Note: All yardings and prices referenced are from MLA’s National Livestock Reporting Service (NLRS) reported saleyards.