Crossbred lambs were steady last week, at $168/head, with a 91% clearance rate for the 3,685 head offered on AuctionsPlus.
Both Merino wether lambs and Merino ewe lambs registered robust clearance rates, at 94% and 91%, respectively this week, averaging $146/head and $184/head.
An indicative line of 390 Merino wether lambs (pictured), out of Methul NSW, weighing 41.6kg liveweight and May-Jun 2020 drop, sold to $154.50/head, or an equivalent 858.3c/kg dressed.
Across the sheep lines, prices contracted for the NSM categories, albeit with very thin numbers for some categories.
NSM Merino ewes dropped $30, to average $164/head – with a 73% clearance rate for the 2,035 head offered.
A line of 201 NSM Merino ewes out of Tamworth NSW, 6.5-years-old and averaging 52.7kg liveweight, sold to $180/head, or 947.4c/kg dressed.
SIL Merino ewes were easily the largest category offered this week, with the 9,552 head offered going against the reduced trend – up 63% on last week’s supplies.
Even with the jump in offerings, the clearance rates this week hit 76%, compared to the 53% in the previous week – signaling a jump in demand for assessed and proven lines.
SIL Merino ewes averaged $2 higher this week, at $265/head. SIL first cross ewes dropped $12 last week to average $343/head, while SM Merino ewes averaged $307/head.