Merino lamb price a ‘good surprise’ at Bendigo sheep sale

Sheep producers scored higher prices at the Bendigo lamb sale this week, with Merino lamb prices one of the highlights.

Bendigo Sheep and Lamb sale. Picture: Zoe Phillips

Merino lambs were one of the highlights at the Bendigo lamb and sheep sale on Monday.

And sheep producer Geoff Hampson from Pyramid Hill was happy with how his sheep sold.

Geoff sold 54 eight-month-old Merino wether lambs for $110. They weighed on average 35kg.

“I usually sell a bit heavier, but I took advantage of the market,” he said.

“I was happy with that price on the day. It is around about what I was expecting.”

He said if he sold a couple of weeks ago he would have only expected $65 to $70, so it was a good move to sell at this week’s sale.

“The market has definitely jumped in the last two weeks.”

Geoff said his property was green but “there’s no grass” and they were feeding out hay.

Geoff Hampson from Pyramid Hill sold Merino wether lambs. Picture: Zoe Phillips

According to the National Livestock Reporting Service prices for Merino lambs rallied with the best fed types with consistent fat cover selling above 800c/kg carcass weight.

The heaviest Merinos made $220 to a top of $275, while some lines of light little Merino lambs in wool made from $45 to $113.

The Merino lamb indicator has jumped almost 70c/kg in a week to settle on Monday at 719.76c/kg – up 146c/kg in a week and 286c/kg higher than the same time last year.

Colin Walker from Elmore sold 26 Merino wether lambs for $180 and some two-tooth wethers for $136. Colin said he sold most of the wethers over-the-hooks in May for $165.

“These ones I sold at Bendigo didn’t make the weight when I sold OTH, so I shore them and held on to them,” he said.

“They were ready to go and price had gone up, so it worked out well. I got a good surprise with that price.”

Colin Walker and nephew Ash from Elmore sold Merino wether lambs. Picture: Zoe Phillips