$400 record for new season Lambs at Bendigo

Yarding - 15,305

Lamb supply remained steady at just over 10,000 head, with approximately 3,000 being new season lambs. The market showed an increase in prices, particularly for young lambs that exhibited good weight and finish. Notably, there was a new market record of $400 per head for unshorn stock. This surge in prices was attributed to heightened competition from processors for quality trade and heavy lambs. The best grades of old season crossbred and Merino lambs also recorded stronger average prices compared to the previous week. However, the overall price range for most old season lambs stayed consistent, between 1,000 to 1,200 cents per kilogram (cwt).

The top pens of heavy new season lambs averaged over 1,200 cents per kilogram, making them a highlight of the market. Restocker activity began to rise following recent rain, which has led to improved pasture conditions as spring progresses. Feeders paid up to $240 for young trade-sized lambs to grow on. The new high of $400 per head for new season lambs was for a pen of 62 head from the Rochester district, estimated at 32 kilograms (cwt). Most of the lead pens of new season lambs were in the 26-30 kilogram range and sold for between $306 and $380 per head, while heavy trades fetched prices from $266 to $366 per head—all these categories averaged over 1,200 cents per kilogram.

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Bidding did quickly pull back on younger lambs that had less weight and carcass finish, with prices ranging from $190 to $245 per head, equating to about 1,000 to 1,150 cents per kilogram. Restockers paid between $190 and $240 per head for young lambs with good frame size for feeding, and $102 to $180 per head for smaller types. Included in the new season run were several pens of unshorn Merinos, with the freshest trades reaching $244 per head, while MK-style young Merino lambs sold for $148 to $169 per head. The quality of the old season lamb yarding improved. Export lambs reached $400, with most heavy lambs selling between $330 and $380 per head. Domestic buyers were engaged in competition for a couple of pens of neat shorn trade-weight lambs, which sold for $332, achieving an estimated price of 1,300 cents per kilogram. However, the general range for trade and heavy trades was between $240 and $330 per head, at approximately 1,050 to 1,180 cents per kilogram. Merino lambs off grain were sold for $240 to $271, trending within the 900 to 1,000 cents per kilogram price brackets, while decent MK processing lambs sold for $130 to $190 per head.

Sheep numbers declined to 5,100 head, but the yarding was of better quality, with more weight and condition available for buyers. The price trend was firm to increasing, although the broader range for mutton remained similar to recent sales, at 650 to 750 cents per kilogram (cwt). The main lines of Merino sheep generally held rates above 700 cents per kilogram. Heavy crossbred ewes were priced from $200 to $265 per head; lead Merino ewes sold for $214, reaching a top price of $272 per head. Heavy shorn Merino wethers fetched up to $260 per head, while a general run of leaner sheep sold for $150 to $210 per head, and the lightest ewes ranged from $110 to $145 per head.

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