Unbelievable rises at Wagga Wagga

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There was a notable increase in lamb numbers, attributed to the drying spring conditions, despite some districts receiving rain. The overall quality of the lambs was very good across both the heavy and trade categories, although a few pens of lambs displayed dry skins. Fortunately, this quality variance did not impact prices.

The Wagga market experienced the largest one-day price spike, with prices rising generally by $20 to $44 per head. Southern processors dominated the market across all trade and export classes, showing particularly strong bidding for lambs weighing between 26 to 30 kg carcass weight (cwt). Store buyers were plentiful, buoyed by new forward contracts released this week, with participants from locations such as Bendigo, Bathurst, Forbes, and Cowra. Local feedlots and restockers were also active in the market, but feedlots were the major buyers.

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Trade lambs attracted strong demand, with some northern companies struggling to match the prices set by their southern counterparts. New season trade lambs weighing 20 to 24 kg sold for $204 to $297 per head, averaging 1160 cents per kg cwt. Lambs in the 24 to 26 kg category were especially sought after by southern buyers, leading to a price spike of $23, averaging 1144 cents per kg cwt. Store buyers were eager to purchase lambs, with well-bred second cross lambs commanding premium prices. Feeder lamb prices surged by $20, with better-covered lambs selling for between $209 and $261 per head. Lighter lambs returning to the paddock with some weight and frame sold for between $160 and $202 per head.

On the export front, both numbers and prices increased, with southern processors acquiring a significant percentage of young lambs weighing 26 kg cwt and above. Prices rose notably by $45, with heavy lambs fetching between $303 and $394, averaging 1211 cents per kg cwt. A few pens of lambs over 30 kg cwt sold for between $375 and $397 per head, averaging 1196 cents per kg cwt.

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