Commentary by MLA
COWRA
Numbers drifted lower and quality was more varied than previous sales along with not as much weight offered on the heavy lambs. There were mainly trade and heavy weights penned along with 250 new season lambs. All the buyers were present and operating along with an extra and competition was sound resulting in a firm market. New season medium trade weight lambs sold from $253 to $272/ head and averaged 1190c/kg cwt. Trade weight old lambs were firm and averaged from 1150c to 1170c/kg cwt. Heavy trade 23 to 24kg sold from $269 to $290/head. Heavy weight lambs were $10 to $15/head dearer while extra heavy weight lambs were cheaper mainly due to less weight and averaged most around 1200c/kg cwt. Heavy weights sold from $291 to $323 while extra heavy weight lambs sold from $315 to $346/head. Mutton numbers fell and quality was generally good and prices were much dearer. Heavy first cross ewes sold from $170 to $295/head and averaged 740c/kg cwt.
CARCOAR
Following recent rainfall, numbers were back by 1431 for a yarding of 2646 lambs. Quality was fair with mostly store and trade weight lambs penned. Most of the regular buyers were operating. Trade weights 20kg to 24kg held firm selling from $235 to $300/head averaging 1200c/kg cwt. Heavy lambs over 24kg were slightly cheaper selling to $316, and a pen of heavy Merino lambs sold to $300/head. Restockers paid up to $190 for lightweight store lambs and heavy hoggets reached $280/head. There was 1656 mixed quality mutton yarded and prices lifted $10. Merino ewes sold from $141 to $200, and crossbred ewes, $110 to $300. Merino wethers sold from $150 to $219, and crossbred wethers, $185 to $244/head. Most sheep sold between 680c and 760c/kg cwt. Market reporter, Angus Williams
