Record Day at Bendigo

Yarding - 23,200

Bendigo experienced a record day as export lambs sold for a top price of $426, with five pens exceeding $400 per head in the strongest lamb market the selling centre has ever recorded. A total of 15,400 lambs were yarded, and the sale saw significant price improvements. This market was compared to two weeks ago due to the King’s Birthday public holiday last Monday. Overall, the sale reflected price levels similar to those seen at northern markets like Griffith and Wagga Wagga in NSW late last week.

There were outstanding lines of hard-finished grain-fed lambs in this yarding, and buyers rewarded quality and weight, opting for lambs that demonstrated better carcass finish. This resulted in an estimated carcass price spread of 950c to 1150c per kilogram across most processing lambs, placing average costs for most processing categories in the range of 1040c to 1090c per kilogram carcass weight (cwt). Merino lambs sold for up to $242 per head, with most being lighter-weight types priced at 900c to 1000c per kilogram cwt.

The Farmers Club - For Ag Enthusiasts. Join The Farmers Club here. 

All regular buyers were present, although some opted not to participate actively and either observed or purchased minimal numbers. The sales that topped $400, reaching a market high of $426 per head, were for extra heavy lambs estimated to weigh over 37 kilograms cwt. Most lambs weighing over 30 kilograms cwt sold between $320 and $390 per head, with the main fat-score 4 category averaging $368 per head. Heavy lambs weighing between 26-30 kilograms cwt varied from $270 to $350 per head, with the best score 4 types averaging over $300 per head. In contrast, score 3 lambs with lower finish and yield averaged $286 per head. There were hot spots for neat trade lambs, with some pens in the 22-24 kg cwt range selling for up to $287 per head at times approaching 1200c/kg. Most trade-weighted lambs sold between $220 and $275 per head. The best quality light lambs were priced from $150 to $200 per head, with restockers paying up to $220 per head for trade-framed lambs to feed on. Additionally, there were still some light crossbred lambs available for clean-up, priced between $100 and $130 per head, although these varied in quality and typically consisted of small numbers in a pen. Good lines of MK style Merino lambs that offered a wool rebate sold strongly for $145 to $194 per head.

Mutton sales were also higher, primarily driven by the limited numbers of heavy ewes and wethers available with weight and condition. The heaviest crossbred ewes sold for $280, reaching a top price of $310 per head, while heavy Merino ewes in good condition fetched up to $290 per head. Most heavy sheep were priced between $220 and $280 per head, trending between 700c and 800c per kilogram cwt. Leaner and lighter sheep sold for $130 to $194 per head, tracking either side of 700c per kilogram cwt. The lightest ewes sold for $70 to $130 per head.

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