Lamb demand sluggish at Bendigo

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Yarding - 20,000

Cheaper market as selling resumed after the Labour Day holiday with 13,700 lambs. Four key domestic orders were absent and demand from other buyers was sluggish amid reports most abattoirs are heavily booked with stock - some buyers said they had even stopped quoting direct to work prices. Another $5 to $20 came off most lambs, although harsher price falls were evident on some categories. The one positive from the market was the properly finished lambs with weight held their value the best. It was light and plain conditioned lambs under 22kg which really felt the impact of reduced buying support.

Export lambs over 30kg cwt $214 to a top of $248 for a pen estimated at around 36kg cwt. Heavy lambs, 26-30kg, varied from $170 to $225 depending on factors such as fat cover, breed quality and number in a pen. Heavy trade lambs, 24-26kg, $160 to $189, and the medium weights $140 to $169. On a carcass basis processing lambs over 22kg showed a big spread of 600c to 730c/kg, with the majority of sales falling between 640c to 685c/kg. Lambs had to be well shaped and with good carcass finish to command over 700c/kg in this market. Plain lambs lacking weight and fat cover were discounted, the 18-22kg fat score 2 crossbreds varying from $98 to $135 at below 600c. Small lambs to the paddock $30 to $84.

The sheep market was erratic with both stronger and weaker sales than a fortnight ago. Heavy sheep mostly $90 to $122, with the general run of mutton still $50 to $80.

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