CVLX Ballarat Sheep Report

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Report Date: 23rd April 2024

Total Yarding: 29,350

Commentary

Lamb numbers dropped to 20,439 yarded, a 13,000 decrease on last week. Quality varied over the yarding, Agents penned exceptional runs in the heavy export categories, while the trade and light weight lambs ranged from plain to excellent. All the usual buying group were on the rail operating with more intensity this week. Store and feeder lambs sold from $8 to $14 dearer, light trade gained to $12, while secondary light weight lambs sold to $15/head better and more in places. Medium and heavy trade were to $10 dearer. Heavy export sold to a top of $265, selling from $6 to $10 better.

Lambs back to the paddock sold from $20 to $124 and lambs to feed on made from $122 to $138/head. Light trade lambs under 18kg sold from $50 to $117/head. Trade lambs 18 to 22kg sold from $126 to $153, lambs 22 to 26kg sold $144 to $187/head to have an average range of 620c to 680c/kg cwt. Heavy export lambs 26 to 30kg made from $173 to $231 and over 30kg sold from $210 to $265/head with an average range of 670c to 690c/kg cwt. Hoggets made from $75 to $134 for the crossbreds and $30 to $98/head for the Merino’s.

Mutton numbers almost halved with 8,205 penned of mixed quality. The market opened firm to a few dollars softer to gain some momentum and ended firm to a few dollars dearer to a week ago. Merino wethers sold from $31 to $105. Merino Ewes made from $11 to $108, and the heavy crossbred mutton made from $61 to $95 and the lighter weights made from $6 to $64/head.

Market Reporter: Sheona Lamb