Bendigo Sheep Report

All data provided by 

Report Date: 31st August 2026

Total Yarding: 11,650

Commentary

Strong market with signs some companies were a bit short of numbers, a supermarket operating again in the lamb run. 9290 lambs were yarded for an increase of around 3000 head. Included in the draw was 2400 new season lambs which did well at firm to dearer rates, particularly for the heavy trade pens. Old season lambs are now very mixed for quality, presentation and number in a pen and sold either side of firm, some stronger results recorded for trade types suiting the top-end domestic orders. Sheep were again the highlight, prices dearer again. The overall sale average for lambs was $257 per head, up $7 on last Monday. The sheep average was $244/head for a similar gain of $8/head but on a smaller and arguably plainer run.

One pen of heavy new season lambs topped at $370, the next best price being $348/head. The main run of heavy trade young lambs, 24-26kg cwt, from $286 to $308; the medium trades 22-24kg cwt from $255 to $284; and lighter trades 20-22kg cwt from $246 to $264/head. Most sales were estimated at 1100c to 1180c/kg cwt. Restockers paid from $220 to $250/head for the better framed lambs to feed on; small and lightweight types from $178 to $214/head which included some lines of small Merino lambs. On a carcass basis store lamb costs remained at elevated levels.

Export weight old season lambs from $330 to a top of $380/head; followed by heavies at $290 to $340/head; and mixed trades from $250 to $290/head. Lambs with weight remained in the range of 1000c to 1100c/kg, while neater trade types sold from 1100c to 1180c/kg on limited numbers. Merino lambs topped at $333 with most sales in a range of $220 to $280/head.

Competition for mutton remained very strong with more sheep selling at an estimated 850 to 950c/kg cwt. Big meat $290 to a top of $352 and there is a lot of weight appearing thanks to the favourable season; shorn Merino wethers to $318. A lot of sheep sold from $220 to $280/head. A few pens of light ewes from $160 to about $200/head.

Market reporter: Jenny Kelly