Heavy Lamb market a bit softer at Bendigo

Yarding - 16,000

There was a slight drop in lamb numbers, bringing the total down to 9,910, while mutton supply increased, keeping the overall yarding at 16,000 head. The market was erratic, with the buying group making a clear effort to rein in prices of old-season lambs. One agent even passed on a run of fed crossbreds early in the auction. Despite this, the sale eventually settled down somewhat, and overall price outcomes were mixed, reflecting the quality of the lambs. Well-presented heavy lambs continued to attract strong demand. New-season lambs are now offering the best quality and have become the main focus for buyers. The price trend for heavy new-season lambs was down by $5 to $20 per head but remained in the estimated range of 1,100c to 1,200c/kg cwt, particularly noteworthy as Bendigo had come off a very strong sale a week earlier. Young lambs going to feeders and restockers remained buoyant, showing firm to higher carcass price levels.

For old lambs, price results varied, with some similar to $20 to $30 per head off the pace, making it challenging to get an accurate read on the market. Export-weight new-season lambs sold for prices ranging from $350 to a top of $395 per head for an estimated 34kg cwt. Heavy young trades were priced between $282 and $340 per head, with top-end domestic buyers active for the best 26-28kg cwt lots, which sold for over $300 per head. The general range for medium young lambs was $230 to $260 per head, with feeders putting pressure on this category as they spent up to $250 per head. Young lambs going to the paddock were priced from $180 to $220 per head for the top end, and from $125 to $185 for smaller types.

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The estimated price trend for old-season lambs was generally in the range of 1,000c to 1,100c/kg cwt in a softer market. There were handy Dorpers and smaller pen lots of crossbred lambs that sold below 1,000c/kg cwt. In dollar terms, export old lambs ranged from $326 to a top of $391 per head; heavy lambs sold for $260 to $304; and general trades were between $200 to $250 per head. Light old-season lambs were cheaper, and there was increased feeding activity as prices lowered.

A total of 6,600 head of sheep were represented, and again it was a fluctuating sale. Heavy mutton with good fat cover showed consistent demand, selling at an estimated 680c to 780c/kg cwt for most. Lighter and leaner sheep had more mixed outcomes, selling at 640c to 700c/kg cwt across most pens. Some exceptionally large meat ewes topped at $294, while most larger crossbred ewes ranged from $210 to $266 per head, and leading Merino ewes sold for $215 to $271 per head. Lighter and leaner sheep were mainly priced between $125 and $185 per head.

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