Good day for Mutton at Wagga Wagga

Yarding - 50,000

The market saw a decline in numbers, despite a very good sale the previous week. Notably, some export and domestic buyers were missing or did not operate fully, particularly those who typically acquire lambs for the Middle East. There was a significant drop in the overall quality this week, with nearly half of the stock classified as secondary types or looking shabby in a big skin.   

In the trade sale, all domestic buyers stepped up, trying to secure the better-presented trade lambs. Top quality heavy trade lambs occasionally lifted above 700c/kg cwt, while plainer types struggled to maintain their value. Lambs weighing between 20kg to 24kg fetched prices ranging from $122 to $168/head, with good lambs averaging 640c/kg cwt. Heavy trade lambs sold for $168 to $190/head. Store lambs sold from $50 to $126/head and lambs to feed on made from $115 to $144/head.   

Don't miss a thing. Join The Farmers Club.

In the heavy export sale, there was a noticeable decline of grain-assisted lambs compared to previous weeks. Lambs weighing between 27kg to 30kg sold for $174 to $207, averaging around 670c/kg cwt basis. Lambs over 30kg were in high demand improving $6, fetching $204 to $267/head. 

It was a mixed yarding of mutton with plenty of  sheep to suit all processors. It was a very strong market, with the strongest competition coming from the north. A northern processors was the market driver from 23kg cwt and above. Prices jumped at the commencement of the sale and climbed even higher as the sale progressed. Heavy mutton averaged 330c to 370c/kg cwt. Trade sheep averaged 305c to 321c/kg.

https://wagga.nsw.gov.au/business-investment/council-businesses/livestock-marketing-centre