Hamilton Sheep Market Report

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Report Date: 1st May 2024

Total Yarding: 25,000

Commentary

Hamilton market today lamb and sheep numbers increased to 16,500 lambs along with 8,500 sheep that represents an increase of 8,000 lambs and 4,850 sheep on the previous weeks market. The overall quality was very good with a top selection of heavy trade weight lambs in the lead runs and again there was a larger tail of smaller and plainer conditioned lamb evident with the increased numbers. The sheep offering consisted mainly of medium to heavy trade weight Merino and crossbred ewes with the later providing some lead heavy weight pens.

Most of the processors were present and fully active along with restocker and feed lotting interest which has remained strong securing lambs for the Riverina, South Eastern SA and local areas. Feedlotters paid up to $146/head to secure lambs.

The market was resilient to be firm over most categories the exception being lambs 25kg and heavier improving by $10 to $15/head. Majority of lamb to the trade made from 650c to 730c/kg cwt with the best heavy weights making $239/head.

Light 12 to 16kg lamb sold from $46 to $137/head with trade weights 18 to 22kg selling from $138 to $180/head with the 22 to 26kg lambs from $180 to $211/head. Hoggets topped at $110.

In a very erratic mutton market heavy sheep gained $5/head where medium weights were softer by $5 to $8 with very light sheep losing $10 to $15/head and in some cases difficult to clear. The general run of mutton realized from 230c to 300c/kg cwt with heavy crossbred ewes selling to $111/head and Merino ewes to $90 with Merino wethers also selling to $90/head with rams topping at $72 / head

Market Reporter Chris Agnew.