Momenteum continues at Ballarat

Yarding: 13,467

Lamb numbers have remained steady, with 9,523 lambs penned. However, the quality has declined, as many of the top-quality lots consist of plainer lambs that lack weight and shape. Despite this, there are still some lambs that have been supplemented with feed, presenting in excellent condition, although they are not as heavy as those in previous weeks.

The market opened firm compared to last week and gained momentum midway through, ending with most categories showing stronger prices. Store lambs sold for $10 per head more than last week. Light trade lambs increased by $10, medium trades remained steady, and heavy trade lambs attracted significant interest, selling for $10 to $20 more. Heavy export lambs were limited, with the best selling for a top price of $441. Lambs weighing between 26 to 30 kg sold for $13 more, while those over 30 kg saw a decrease of $5 per head, although they still fetched higher prices per kilogram.

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Feeders and restockers paid between $100 and $220 per head. Light trade lambs sold from $98 to $195, medium trade from $192 to $258, and heavy trade from $232 to $349 per head, resulting in a wide average range of 1,060 to 1,260 cents per kilogram (c/kg cwt). Heavy export lambs weighing over 26 to 30 kg ranged from $334 to $386, and those over 30 kg sold for $385 to $441 per head, giving a wide range of 1,230 to 1,370 c/kg cwt. Merino lambs fetched between $120 and $297 per head.

Sheep numbers increased to 3,994, with quality varying. Competition was very strong, leading to price increases of $15 to $30 per head. Lighter weight Merino wethers sold for $80 to $156, while heavier weights sold for $158 to $230 per head. Light weight Merino ewes were priced from $65 to $156, and heavier weight Merino ewes sold for $148 to $210 per head. Light weight crossbred mutton made between $92 and $188, with heavier weights selling from $188 to $332 per head. Most heavy mutton was priced between 720 and 820 c/kg cwt.

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