Hot but no records at Bendigo

Yarding - 15,350

Lamb numbers declined further, with 10,800 yarded—2,000 fewer than earlier. There were no lines of extra-heavy export lambs to test price records today. However, in terms of cents per kilogram, this sale was similar to previous ones for the better-quality processing lambs. The hot spot in the market was for neat 22-28kg cwt lambs with short skins, which suited top-end domestic and supermarket orders, with many of these lambs selling for over 1,200 cents/kg cwt. Broadly, the majority of processing lambs remained in a range of 1,000 to 1,200 cents/kg cwt, depending on quality, breed, and pen size. Prices fluctuated as buyers sifted through the offerings to fill their loads. Despite the absence of some regular orders, strong carcass price rates were maintained. At least three exporters were missing from the market, which seemed to impact mutton prices, causing them to drop by $5 to $15 per head, particularly affecting heavy ewes.

Lambs with genuine weight and adequate fat cover were again in short supply. Export lambs over 30kg cwt sold from $363 to $396 per head for crossbreds, pushing a little higher into the 11000 cents/kg plus price range. Hard-finished heavy lambs weighing 26-30kg cwt off grain sold for $314 to $365 per head, as costs exceeded an estimated 1,200 cents/kg cwt for buyers. There was also strong demand for the best heavy trades, going for $280 to $320 per head, with some pens estimated around 1,300 cents/kg.

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The general run of winter trade lambs sold for $220 to $265 per head, mostly in the 1,000 to 1,150 cents/kg cwt price range. The best MK style processing lambs off grain ranged from $160 to $220 per head, occasionally gaining up to $10 per head. The mixed run of small lambs primarily ranged from $80 to $150 per head, with very few suitable for restockers. Any Merino lambs off grain that had weight and fat cover were well valued, selling for up to $330 per head, resulting in a dearer outcome.

The sheep sale, however, lacked momentum, with key export orders absent mainly due to maintenance shutdowns. Heavy crossbred and meat ewes were priced between $190 and $270 per head, regardless of weight, with no exceptionally large ewes sold. This led to estimated carcass costs averaging under 650 cents/kg cwt. Heavy Merino ewes sold from $248 to $278, holding their value better. The general run of light and trade sheep ranged from $90 to $165 per head. Most grades of mutton averaged under 680 cents/kg cwt in this auction.

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