$357 a head - Return of the Supermarkets at Wagga Wagga

Yarding - 52,000

Lamb numbers declined notably, while sheep numbers lifted slightly. All buyers made it to the sale and were buoyed by the return of two major supermarkets eager to participate. The demand for hard-fed lambs ramped up significantly, as buyers competed fiercely across heavy export categories. This competition has driven prices to extraordinary heights, with several sales hitting above the impressive 1000c/kg cwt.

Trade types also made solid gains. However, genuine store lambs have become increasingly scarce, largely due to age factors working against them. As a result, the majority of these lambs have been directed towards processors rather than the retail market. Trade lambs, particularly those weighing from 22kg to 26kg and grain-fed, were highly sought after, with prices reflecting this demand. These premium lambs saw a price increase of up to $10 to $16/head fetching between $188 and $258/head. Light lambs destined for processors remained mostly unchanged, primarily due to their plainer condition.

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The highlight of the market was the heavy export sale, which experienced a notable surge in prices, increasing by $20 and more in places. Lambs in the 26-30kg weight category sold strongly, ranging from $248 to $282/head. Additionally, big, hard-fed lambs weighing over 30kg captured attention, of several buyers achieving impressive prices between $284 and $357/head to average 939c/kg cwt.

It was a very mixed quality yarding of mutton with trade and heavy sheep keenly sought by a larger group of processors. Heavy sheep sold from $170 to $240/head to average around 573c to 639c/kg cwt. Trade sheep sold from $140 to $190 to average 650c/kg cwt.

https://wagga.nsw.gov.au/business-investment/council-businesses/livestock-marketing-centre