Hamilton Sheep & Lamb Market Report

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Report Date: 29th April 2026

Total Yarding: 12,200

Commentary

Hamilton Agents yarded 8,400 lambs (100 fewer) and 4,650 sheep (350 fewer) this week compared to last week’s offering. Overall quality was similar although heavy lambs carried slightly less weight. In contrast, the lighter trade lambs were of excellent quality and shape with a tail of lambs suitable for feeding or returning to the paddock were available at the lower end. Not all regular buyers were present and some were not fully active resulting in an erratic market in places. Heavier lambs over 26kg cwt eased by $20 to $30/head while lighter better quality trade lambs were firm to slightly stronger most lambs to the trade averaging between 1050 and 1280c/kg cwt and topping at $346/head.

Lambs suitable for feeding or back to the paddock generally sold from $180 to $298 equating to 1200 to 1600c/kg cwt to be dearer in places Light lambs 12–16kg made $201 to $245/head while trade lambs weighing 18–22kg sold from $240 to $259/head. Lambs in the 22–26kg range returned $260 to $309 and heavier trade lambs sold from $295 to a top of $346/head. Hoggets reached $335/head.

Sheep sold to very strong competition lifting $20 to $30/head and more in places averaging between 720 and 850c/kg cwt. Crossbred ewes made to $332 and crossbred wethers to $270/head. Shorn Merino ewes to $220 with Terminal rams sold to $72 while Merino rams with skin reached $102/head.

Market Reporter: Chris Agnew, MLA.