A rain led stronger market at Bendigo

Yarding - 25,910

The latest numbers show a yarding of 18,100 lambs and 7,800 sheep, which is a decrease of about 5,000 head compared to last week. The market was stronger, potentially influenced by the beneficial rainfall recorded over the weekend. All regular buyers were present, and although not all were fully active, there was more energy and consistency in the sale compared to last Monday. The best new season lambs once again surpassed 1,100 cents per kilogram carcass weight (c/kg cwt), with the finest pens reaching up to approximately 1,180 c/kg at times. It's important to note that heavier lambs received significant support, especially since there was a limited supply of lambs weighing over 26 kg cwt in this yarding. The heavy categories of young lambs recorded higher average prices during this sale. One pen of export-weight young lambs topped the market at $390 per head, with the next best price at $357 per head.

The leading run of heavy lambs weighing 26-30 kg cwt sold for prices ranging from $275 to $343 per head, with a ballpark average cost of 1,100 c/kg to processors. In the general run of trade lambs in the 22-26 kg cwt range, there was more variability in pricing based on quality and presentation, with prices stretching from around 1,000 c/kg to over 1,100 c/kg cwt at the high end. Notably, a standout group of Southdown-sired trade lambs presented exceptionally well and were well supported by domestic buyers.

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The main run of trade lambs in the 22-24 kg cwt range sold for $225 to $265 per head, while the 20-22 kg cwt types fetched between $210 and $240 per head. Ballarat restockers paid up to $268 per head for trade lambs ready for shearing, with the majority of better-framed store lambs selling for $170 to $210 per head and the smallest lambs priced between $120 and $160 per head. Most young Merino lambs in this yarding were lighter and in plainer condition, selling for $133 to $175 per head. Some agents are now beginning their runs with recently shorn new season lambs, and the best of these sold for over $300 per head, estimated at around 1,100 c/kg cwt. A few old season lambs are still appearing in the market, selling based on quality, presentation, and the number in each pen, with many clean-up lines evident.

The sheep market was firm to dearer, though there was not much heavy mutton available today. Leading Merino ewes sold for $220 to $250 per head, while larger crossbred ewes fetched between $214 and $222 per head. Most trade and light sheep sold for $146 to $190 per head. The mutton price spread ranged from 630 c/kg to 750 c/kg across most sales, with some lighter sheep selling strongly at prices over 800 c/kg cwt.

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