8 pens of Export Lambs top $300 at Bendigo

Yarding - 19,000 (+3500)
Lambs - 13,000 (+2000)
Sheep - 6000 (+1500)

Numbers lifted slightly to 13,000 lambs and 6000 sheep. The lamb yarding had less big export lambs on offer this week, but there was more quality fed lambs in the 24 to 28kg cwt range which attracted strong support from both export and domestic processors. Prices for well-finished trade and heavy lambs lifted another $5 to $15/head. However, bidding for plainer lambs under 20kg cwt varied, with some secondary types cheaper and others just firm with little restocking or feedlot interest at this time of year. The best example of how quality and finish affected the market was seen in the Merino section, with the best trade weights with good fat cover estimated at 880c, while plainer and leaner types sold for less than 800c/kg cwt.

Eight pens of export lambs sold from $300 to a top of $323/head on estimated weights of 30 to 34kg cwt, pushing the average carcase price close to 900c/kg cwt. There was multiple sales of heavy lambs from $240 to $290/head, trending from 900c to 960c/kg cwt. The main run of crossbred lambs in the 26 to 30kg cwt range averaged $270 at an estimated 930c, and the best 24 to 26kg pens averaged $254/head at957c/kg cwt. Occasional sales did hit on 1000c/kg cwt. But conversely, secondary lambs in untidy skins or odd pen lots of a few head weren't keenly supported by processors and sold in a range of 800c to 880c/kg cwt depending on breed and quality. Light lambs made from $110to $165/head in a mixed offering with poor quality affecting some results.

Sheep numbers were boosted by lines of crossbred and Merino ewes being sold after lamb weaning. Only a few pens of Merino wethers were available. Prices were dearer, particularly for the best lines of Merino mutton which averaged over 700c/kg cwt. There was a lot of weight in the lead runs of crossbred ewes which sold to $250/head.

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