Prices hold up for Lamb despite the high numbers at Bendigo

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Yarding - 43,881 (+2907).

Lambs - 27,627 (+653).

Sheep - 16,254 (+2254).

Another big yarding of lambs and sheep as numbers continue to be drawn into the auction system by the strong prices and drying season. Quality remained very good, with the bulk of the unshorn young lambs weighing over 22kg and in fresh condition. Prices again held up against the boost in supply, with lamb averages within a few dollars either side of last week. All the regular buyers attended, and processors did have to compete against Ballarat restockers for some of the good trade weight lambs. For a big yarding, the supply of lighter-weight lambs under 20kg remained limited.

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There wasn't as many extra heavy young lambs yarded, the few pens just over 30kg making from $232 to a top of $238/head. Most of the lead drafts weighed from 24kg to 28kg and sold between $200 and $230/head. The dollar per head average for the main run of 24kg to 26kg unshorn crossbred lambs was $210, while the next grade down at 22kg to 24kg were tracking around $190/head. Medium and lighter weight domestic lambs, 20kg to 22kg, and still with good carcass finish from $160 to $184/head. On a carcass basis most sales were estimated between 770c and 820c, for an overall benchmark of 800c/kg cwt across processing lambs. Buyers are still working on depressed skin returns of $3 to $4.50 over better sized lambs in clean pelts. Specialist Ballarat restockers paid from $192 to a top of $211/head for lambs to shear.Smaller lambs 16kg to 20kg to the paddock between $135 and $160/head.

More sheep were yarded, influenced by the high spring price rates for mutton. Once again there was a lot of weight on offer in both the crossbred and Merino runs. Prices for heavy sheep did weaken mainly due to one northern processor not dominating bidding and chasing numbers like recent weeks. There was still some very strong sales for good trade weight sheep between 20kg to 24kg. The sale showed price corrections of $5 to $15/head, depending on weight and condition. Heavy Merino ewes with wool to a top of $196 and wethers to $201/head. A lot of heavy sheep traded between $150 and $180/head.

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

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