Lambs up slightly but Mutton was the star at Ballarat

Yarding: 46,000

Agents yarded 32,000 lambs of plain to excellent quality, with a large portion of the medium and lighter weight secondary types lacking finish. The market opened firm on last week’s levels and gain intensity over the well finished short skin lambs, the market bounced either side of firm in most categories. Store lambs sold firm to $3 better. Light, medium and heavy trade sold firm to $5 dearer. Heavy export sold to a top of $278/head to remain firm $/head, not the weight offered this week, to end $6/head better.

Lambs back to the paddock under 18kg selling from $32 to $132, and lambs over 18kg made from $126 to $158/head. Lambs to the trade to suit MK orders under 18kg sold from $96 to $136, Lambs 18-22kg, sold from $124 to $176, Lambs 22-24kg, sold from $162 to $191, Lambs 24-26kg made from $178 to $213/head. Averaging from 680c to 760c/kg cwt. Export 26 to 30kg sold from $209 to $237 and 30kg and over made $235 to $278/head. With an average range 720c to 770c/kg cwt.

The mutton market had the best results, with exceptional runs of merino wethers offered and plenty of weight in all categories. The market opened stronger across all weights and grades. Heavy sheep sold to $35 dearer, medium and light sheep to $15 to $25/head dearer. Merino wethers selling from $60 to $209/head. Merino ewes sold from $30 to $178 and heavy crossbred mutton sold from $112 to $183/head. Mutton averaged from 450c to 490c/kg with sales over 500c regularly.

https://www.bssaa.com.au/