Mutton a positive at Bendigo

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Yarding - 14,950

Similar lamb supply to a week ago with 10,500 penned, however sheep numbers more than doubled to 7650. Mutton was the positive of the sale, with heavy sheep and good Merino wethers gaining $15 to $25 per head. But processor demand for lambs retreated, the majority of sales back by $5 to $15. The two major supermarkets remained absent, while some other key export companies were quiet. Demand for extra heavy lambs was subdued and there was more lambs over 30kg cwt offered this week. The strongest enquiry was for neat trade and heavy trade lambs and these held their value the best. The line-up of light lambs included a lot of secondary types with few decent store lambs available.

Heavy export lambs over 30kg cwt sold from $216 to a top of $250, although sales over $235 were limited. Heavy lambs, 26-30kg, $182 to $215 for crossbreds, the price spread reflecting how buyers picked through depending on breed quality, shape, finish and skin presentation. Heavy trade lambs, 24-26kg, $169 to $185 and medium trades $143 to $171. On a carcass basis a lot of lambs tracked between 650c to 685c, with patches of selling at 700c to 740c for the neatest trades. Trade and light lambs lacking fat cover $110 to $140; small lambs $30 to $90.

Heavy sheep were keenly contested. Big crossbred ewes $146 to $182, and heavy Merino wethers $138 to $175. More sheep were costing over 500c this week, with the better weights and grades of mutton 450c to 480c. But secondary sheep often cheaper.

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