Bendigo Sheep Report

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Report Date: 1st June 2026

Total Yarding: 11,360

Commentary

Lamb numbers similar at 8200 and a few more sheep at 3100/head. The lamb market didn’t have as much urgency to it today, most noticeable on the extra heavy lambs over 34kg cwt and the lead of the grainfed crossbreds did display plenty of weight. Once on lambs under 30kg cwt the market fluctuated to be either side of firm, with the buying group just a bit more selective around quality and presentation. Overall the saleyard average for all lambs sold today was $279/head to be $5 back on a week ago. The sheep market was again a highlight, a stand-out line of shorn Merino wethers estimated as making over1000c/kg cwt. The average price for all sheep sold was $255/head to be up nearly $5 on last week.

Heavy export lambs $326 to $380/head to touch on $400 just once, the estimated average cost easing back to around 1040c/kg cwt. The more nicely weighted heavy lambs 26-30kg cwt from $305 to $342/head at a ballpark cost to processors of 1120c/kg. The neatest heavy trade lambs $278 to $306/head, with odd sales to premiums of around 1160c/kg cwt. Merino lambs were well represented and the lead of the trades in good skins from $252 to $290/head at an estimated 1050c to 1100c/kg, but noting some buyers indicated they were receiving up to $30 plus back on the right pelts which would lower their c/kg costs. were getting $30 plus back on pelts would lower their c/kg costs. Light lambs were a mixed bag, and prices again fluctuated, the plainer types on a softer trend to feeders but neat store lots firm. Most decent lighter lambs $180 to $245, feeders paying to $287/head for trades to shear.

Sheep market was very strong, particularly on heavy mutton. A feature run of big shorn Merino wethers sold from $317 to a top of $366/head to be estimated at just over 100c/kg cwt. Biggest crossbred ewes $300 to $374 and Merino ewes with wool to $366/head. After this a lot of sheep with frame a reasonable cover $220 to $260, and lighter mutton $150 to $180 on limited numbers. There was a lot of 900c/kg plus for good mutton, but noting there was also a lot of smaller clean-up lots of sheep which don’t receive as much attention from processors and widens the c/kg price sheep within grades of sheep.

Market reporter: Jenny Kelly