Mixed bag at Ballarat

Yarding: 21,099

Lamb numbers remained stable with 13,000 penned, including around 10,000 new season lambs. Quality improved, with a large portion of the lambs having fresher skins and good weight and shape. However, there was a noticeable decline in quality among the lambs that were already drying off in their skins. Not all regular buyers were present, but there was good competition from store buyers.

The market opened softer compared to last week’s levels but became erratic, with sales fluctuating on either side of firm. Store buyers were more active this week, purchasing lambs destined for paddocks and feed at prices $6 to $14 higher. Light trade saw sales fluctuate by about $5 around firm prices, while medium and heavy trade decreased by $5 to $10 per head. Heavy lambs over 26 kg were limited and sold for a top price of $360 per head.

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New season lambs under 20 kg cwt going back to the paddock were sold for prices ranging from $66 to $235, while those going to feed on ranged from $235 to $252 per head. Light lambs for the trade under 20 kg sold for prices between $162 and $240, and lambs weighing between 20 and 26 kg were sold for $232 to $305, averaging 1,040c to 1,120c/kg cwt. Lambs over 26 kg sold for $288 to $360 per head, averaging 1,070c to 1,100c/kg cwt. Old lambs are limited, and their quality is inconsistent, with mostly smaller lots being offered, selling at a cheaper trend compared to the previous week.

Sheep numbers dropped slightly to 8,000 offered. Quality varied, and there was a smaller field of buyers present. The market ended up $15 softer for light and trade weights, while heavy mutton was the most affected, selling for $30 per head cheaper. Merino wethers sold for prices ranging from $106 to $210, averaging 690c to 720c/kg cwt. Lightweight Merino ewes sold for $38 to $170, while heavy Merino ewes sold for $160 to $196 per head, averaging between 660c and 710c/kg cwt. Lightweight crossbred mutton sold for $90 to $166, while heavy mutton ranged from $156 to $215, averaging 520c to 690c/kg cwt.

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