Ballarat Bonanza

Yarding: 17,512

The number of lambs increased slightly to 12,613. Overall quality improved among the heavier lambs that had been off feed, but it declined for the lighter, plainer types. Not all the usual buyers were present, leading to a solid to slightly dearer market for the heavy export and well-finished trade lambs, while prices slipped somewhat for the plainer lots lacking condition.

Lightweight trade and store lambs sold for about $10 less, while medium trade prices remained firm, increasing by $6. Heavy trade lambs gained between $3 and $7 per head. A new record was set at Ballarat, with heavy export lambs reaching a top price of $438, which is an increase of $8 per head.

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Feeders and restockers paid between $35 and $244 per head. Lightweight trade lambs sold for $115 to $184, medium trade lambs ranged from $190 to $264, and heavy trade lambs sold between $260 and $336 per head, averaging from 980 to 1230 cents per kilogram (cwt). Heavy export lambs over 26 kg made between $330 and $438 per head, averaging 1190 to 1280 cents per kilogram (cwt). Merino lambs sold for $34 to $162 per head for the lighter weights, and from $180 to $282 per head for the heavier weights.

Sheep numbers decreased slightly to 4,899, with varying quality. Lighter-weight Merino wethers sold for $114 to $169, while heavier weights sold for $182 to $220 per head. Lightweight and framed Merino ewes ranged from $29 to $179, while heavier Merino ewes sold for $165 to $206 per head. Lightweight crossbred mutton went for $28 to $170 per head, with heavier weights selling for $166 to $222 per head. Most mutton averaged between 600 and 720 cents per kilogram (cwt).

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