NSM Merino ewe hoggets registered a large jump in supplies this week, at 21,024 head. Interestingly both price and clearance levels for the category also increased – with an 87% clearance and averaging $22 higher, at $282/head.
A line of 350 NSM Merino ewe hoggets (pictured) from Coonalpyn, SA weighing 59.2kg liveweight, returned $350/head.
Central West NSW remained the top purchasing region again for the week, securing 18,890 head – with 26% of purchases consisting of Merino wethers and wether lambs – a strong indicator of producer intentions to grow stock out into the warmer months.
The NSW Riverina and Southwest Slopes and Plains also secured considerable numbers this week, purchasing 14,166 and 9,310 head, respectively.
A total of 57,235 new season lambs were offered this week, with four of the six categories averaging higher.
First cross ewe lambs saw a rise in listings this week, at 8,538 head – with the category returning a $50/head rise, to average $309/head. Crossbred lamb numbers decreased to 18,714 head, as demand remained robust – registering an 89% clearance rate and averaging $1 higher at $162/head.
The Merino wether lamb category saw a large reduction in numbers, decreasing by 60% from last week, to 19,143 head.
NSW offered 13,785 head for the category – 24,238 head less than the previous week. However, even with the sharp contraction and 97% clearance rate, Merino wether lambs averaged $2 cheaper this week, at $144/head.
A very thin supply of Merino ewes and lambs averaged $103 higher this week, with a 100% clearance rate, to $336/head.
From Nyngan, NSW a line of 245 6-year-old NSM Merino ewes with lambs at foot returned the top price for the category at $372/head. The ewes weighed 70kg liveweight and will travel to Cobar, NSW.
SM first cross ewes returned a 100% clearance across the small offering of 215 head this week, with prices averaging $26 higher, at $232/head. While SM shedding breed ewes saw a reduced offering of 882 head this week, demand for the category remains very high, with a 100% clearance rate, as prices averaged $14 higher, at $326/head.
-AuctionsPlus