Another strong day at Ballarat

Yarding: 16,469

There was a slight increase in lamb supply, reaching up to 14000 head. However, weights have decreased, and the availability of export lambs was limited. While some quality-fed heavy and trade lambs were present, the market quickly shifted towards mixed wintery lots. Not all buyers participated or were active, but this had minimal impact on the market due to the scarcity of good-quality lambs. Competition remained strong for any well-fed lambs with weight, and Ballarat now holds the Victorian price record at $450 per head. This price was paid for a pen of export crossbreds weighing around 38-40 kg carcass weight (cwt), highlighting that the price per kilogram for quality heavy lambs is gradually rising.

Overall, the price trend today was stable for quality processing lambs over 24 kg cwt, while the general range of medium and lighter lambs saw slight price decreases, largely influenced by quality. The market broadly remained between 1100 cents/kg and 1300 cents/kg cwt for the best processing lambs, and between 1000 cents/kg and 1100 cents/kg for plainer trades or lambs with long, untidy skins. Heavy export lambs were available in limited numbers, priced from $365 to $450 per head. Heavy lambs weighing 26-30 kg cwt sold for $278 to $378, while heavy trade lambs fetched between $290 and $346 per head. Sales above an estimated 1300 cents/kg cwt were recorded for the best-shaped lambs with short skins.

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The general range for mixed trade lambs weighing 22-24 kg cwt showed more price variation based on quality and presentation, ranging from $220 to $290 per head. Well-finished trade Merino lambs garnered good support, priced between $220 and $293 per head. Light lambs under 20 kg cwt mostly sold for $160 to $220 for decent crossbreds and small Merinos, while lighter types traded for $100 to $140 per head. The weakest Merinos were sold at lower prices, typically ranging from $28 to $85 per head.

Sheep numbers saw a significant decline, dropping to just 2400 head, which made it challenging for some buyers to assemble loads. Quality was mixed, with most sheep in light condition. A few pens of heavy ewes that still had condition and weight sold for $200 to $272 per head, while most trade sheep ranged from $140 to $190 per head. The lightest ewes sold for $35 to $130 per head. The price trend for most mutton remained strong, trending either side of 700 cents/kg cwt.

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