Strong sale at Wagga Wagga

Yarding - 46,650

The lamb market saw a significant increase in numbers this week, while sheep experienced a more moderate rise. This included 10,500 new season lambs, which demonstrated a notable improvement in quality, with greater weight and finish. The old lambs were also well-finished, a substantial portion of which were grain-assisted and had shorter skins. All buyers attended the sale, with most operating at full capacity. A major domestic buyer returned to the old lamb section, actively purchasing premium grain-fed pens due to the limited availability of stock in New South Wales and Victoria. The market was erratic, featuring some exceptionally high sales, particularly for heavy export pens. Overall, the dynamics of this week’s market reflect strong competition and varied pricing, driven by improved quality and buyer demand across different weight categories.

New season trade lambs in the 20-24 kg range remained mostly unchanged, selling between $234 and $296, averaging 1189 cents per kilogram, carcass weight (cwt). For lambs weighing 26-30 kg, prices fluctuated from $325 to $379, with a noticeable increase towards the end of the market. The availability of lambs over 30 kg was limited, selling between $372 and $374, averaging 1181 cents per kilogram, cwt. Young lambs returning to the paddock, featuring some weight and frame, fetched prices ranging from $170 to $253 per head.

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Competition for grain-fed trade lambs was strong, particularly for those in the 21-24 kg category, which sold for $250 to $295, averaging 1178 cents per kilogram, cwt. Trade Merino lambs saw prices ranging from $191 to $282, with the heavier portion topping out at $297 per head. Heavy export lambs experienced a price increase of up to $20, with 26-30 kg lambs selling between $314 and $393 per head. Lambs over 30 kg commanded prices ranging from $376 to $403 per head.

It was another good to fair quality yarding of mutton, with plenty of weight on offer. A large group of buyers was present, all competing for a share of the market. Heavy mutton improved by $7, selling from $185 to $310 per head, averaging 800 cents per kilogram, cwt. Trade sheep saw lower trends, selling from $159 to $214 per head.

https://wagga.nsw.gov.au/business-investment/council-businesses/livestock-marketing-centre