1300c/kg plus at Bendigo

Yarding - 18,667

There was a modest increase in supply for lamb and mutton, with a mixed winter yarding of 18,667 head. However, quality stock with weight and condition remained in the minority for both lamb and sheep offerings. On the demand side, a couple of buyers were absent, and some were quiet. A major NSW exporter returned to buy sheep but not lambs. The lamb market experienced fluctuations, opening with prices $10 to $20 per head cheaper, but it gained momentum toward the end of the auction to finish at higher prices. A new record was set in Bendigo for export lambs at $441 for a pen of unshorn January drop crossbreds, which were not super heavy, resulting in a higher carcass price than the previous record of $435 per head set last month.

Overall, there was a general price spread of 1000 to 1300 cents per kilogram cwt for most processing lambs weighing above 21 kg. While price averages were lower for some grades, ranging from 1050 to 1180 cents per kilogram cwt, this was linked to mixed lamb quality and lower rates at the start of the sale. The best pens of neat, hard-fed lambs in short skins sold at high levels, estimated at 1200 to 1300 cents per kilogram or more.

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The yarding included a mix of light lambs under 20 kg cwt, with plainer crossbreds, Dorpers, and Merinos lacking finish selling at lower prices. There were few export lambs over 30 kg cwt, priced at $369 to $441 per head, while heavy lambs weighing 26 to 30 kg cwt ranged from $284 to $389 per head. The lead of the trade lambs sold for $260 to $327 per head, while lighter and plainer trades went for $210 to $240 per head. The best-fed Merino lambs, which had weight and finish, were firm to dearer, selling between $265 and a top price of $352 per head. Conversely, there was a weaker trend for lighter mixed lambs of all breeds, with many lambs under 20 kg cwt priced at $115 to $185 per head.

The sheep sale also fluctuated, starting strong on the main runs before becoming weaker and more varied in the smaller, mixed pen lots sold after the lamb run. The estimated price range for most mutton was 660 to 780 cents per kilogram cwt. Big crossbred ewes sold for $215 to $268 per head, while the lead of Merino ewes priced between $235 and $265 per head. Main runs of leaner trade sheep fetched $140 to $210 per head, and the lightest ewes sold mostly for $80 to $130 per head.

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