Previous Close Sheep Markets Summary
Sheep and lamb markets remained firm to stronger across most selling centres, with strong processor demand and tighter sheep supplies supporting higher prices, particularly for heavy lambs and quality trade stock.
The trends appear to be:
- Lamb numbers increased nationally, while sheep supplies tightened
- Strong processor and export competition continued to support prices
- Heavy and export lambs led market gains
- Mutton markets remained firm to dearer despite lower sheep numbers
- Store and feeder lamb demand remained positive
- Quality stock continued to attract premium competition
Eastern States (NSW, VIC, SA)
Overall firm to stronger market, with heavy lambs and quality trade stock driving gains.
NSW (Forbes) stood out:
- Larger lamb yarding of 25,250 head
- Record export lamb prices recorded
- Gains across all lamb weight categories
- Mutton remained buoyant, trading above 900c/kg
VIC (Ballarat) saw:
- Reduced lamb and sheep numbers
- Market remained well supported despite lower yardings
- Ongoing demand for quality finished lambs
SA results were firm to dearer:
- Dublin recorded stronger demand for Merino store lambs and heavy mutton
- Naracoorte saw better-presented lambs attract strong competition
- Super heavy Poll Dorset lambs reached a new market top of $428/head
- Mutton remained well supported
Western Australia
Muchea saw:
- Stronger market across most categories
- Feeder and store lambs lifted $10–15/head
- Heavy lambs gained $8–10/head
- Mutton held firm despite lower sheep numbers
Summary: Strong processor demand and tighter sheep supplies continue to underpin sheep and lamb markets nationally. Heavy lambs, export lambs and quality trade stock remain the standout performers, while mutton markets continue to trade at historically strong levels.
Sheep Marketplace New Listings
Sheep yardings & reports
Queensland
- No Reports
New South Wales
- Forbes sheep report (MLA): Yarding: 32,300, (+6,600). A larger yarding saw a stronger lamb market, with record export lamb prices, solid gains across all weight categories, and buoyant mutton prices above 900c/kg. Full report available here
Victoria
- CVLX Ballarat sheep report (MLA): Yarding: 15,274, (-2,640). A smaller winter yarding sold to a mostly firm market, with well-finished lambs, Merino lambs, and sheep attracting stronger competition and dearer prices.Â
- EVLX Koonwarra sheep report (RLX). Watch the latest report here
South Australia
- Naracoorte sheep report (MLA): Yarding: 2,325, (+620). A light winter yarding saw stronger demand for better-presented lambs, with super heavy Poll Dorset lambs setting a new $428/head top and mutton remaining well supported. Full report available here
- Dublin sheep report (MLA): Yarding: 3,100, (-1,900). A smaller post-long weekend yarding saw firm to dearer prices, with strong demand lifting Merino store lambs and heavy mutton while most other categories held steady. Full report available here
Western Australia
- Muchea sheep report (MLA): Yarding: 6,797, (+1,681). A smaller yarding sold to a stronger market, with feeder and store lambs gaining $10–15/head, heavy lambs up $8–10/head, and mutton holding firm. Full report available here
Tasmania
- No Reports