Lamb prices show strength across the board

Saleyards report a strong weight and finish across new season stock, building on a positive trend after the tough winter market.

Lambs are go: Heavy suckers are in demand at the Bendigo sale bringing between $170 and $190, while lighter types fetch an average of $167. Picture: Zoe Phillips

THE  lamb market is starting to show signs of having a better “spring” in its step than anticipated, after some tough winter price results.

Saleyard prices earlier this week were dearer again, building on the positive trend that emerged a week ago.

National indicators show the upward trend.

After selling was completed on Monday:

HEAVY lambs (22kg plus) ­improved to 641c/kg carcass weight, a gain of 41c in the past week.

TRADEWEIGHT lambs went to 679c/kg, up 42c.

MERINO lambs were at 636c/kg, a lift up 26c.

The mutton market also rallied by a similar margin of 48c to hold an average of 578c/kg cwt.

In dollar-per-head terms, there were exceptionally heavy sucker lambs, estimated between 30-32kg cwt, that sold to $205 twice at Bendigo.

Prices went to a seasonal high of $218 for suckers at Wagga Wagga in the NSW Riverina late last week.

All saleyards reported a strong weight and finish across new season stock thanks to the favourable season, with the majority listed above 24kg cwt in NLRS reports.

It is influencing price ­results, with premiums now appearing for the limited numbers of neat, domestic lambs sized from 18-21kg.

The prime condition of suckers is also limiting restocking demand, with few store lambs appearing at this early stage of the season.

At Bendigo, the NRLS ­reported a range of $170 to $190 for heavy suckers in the 26-30kg category, and from $162 to $178 for an average of $167 across the volume runs ­estimated at 24-26kg.

Medium and light domestic kill lambs brought $135 to $155.

Results at Corowa in southern NSW mirrored this on the same day, and bidding for sucker lambs was consistent and in tight dollar-per-head ranges in the past week.

As a guide, most heavy suckers have been tracking ­between 600c-685c/kg, rising to more than 700c/kg for ­lighter weight domestic processing lambs.

The question for the lamb market is how it will cope as numbers build towards the spring flush.

In a positive sign, JBS Swift has reopened its Brooklyn abattoir near Melbourne that had been shut due to a COVID-19 infections.

The major supermarket chains have also been strong players, while at the heavier end of the market NSW exporter Fletchers of Dubbo has been a dominant bidder.

Sheep numbers are also building as ewes are sold post lamb weaning and shearing. Like lamb, there is big weight coming through mutton sales with a lot of sheep estimated above 30kg cwt.

Most heavy sheep from $160 to $200.

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