Griffith Sheep Sale Report

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Report Date: 26th July 2024

Total Yarding: 13,900

Commentary

Lamb supply increased to 9200 and quality improved with neater lines of heavy lambs available in the opening laneways. Most of the tradeweight lambs were Dorper and mixed crossbred types. Prices weakened as the market was rolled back in-line with what has been happening across the industry in the past week. It meant $10 to $20 came off a lot of lambs in an erratic sale as the market tried to find a consistent price floor. As a rule the better bred and presented lambs sold to the strongest demand, with buyers tending to pull back the most on woollier lots with less carcass finish. Winter clean-up lots of a few head were also discounted as buyers picked through the market.

Export weighted lambs over 30kg cwt from $241 to $275 to be pulled back to a ballpark cost of 770c to 780c/kg cwt for the crossbreds. The more nicely weighed heavy 26-30kg lambs had the best support on the day at $194 to $268/hd to still trend just over 800c/kg cwt. Most medium and heavy tradeweight lambs from $152 to $192 in a broad price outcome based around quality and presentation – the majority of sales estimated below the 800c mark. Light lambs also lost traction at $60 to $140 in a fluctuating market.

Some pens of new season lambs appeared, with the two best pens of tradeweight crossbreds estimated around 22-24kg cwt making $176 and $198. There was also some lines of young immature types which sold at $110 to $131 to local restocking orders.

Similar sized yarding of 4650 sheep also sold at cheaper rates, the heaviest mutton most affected to slip below 400c/kg cwt on big crossbred and Dorper ewes. Merino ewes carrying wool rebates from $123 to $151 at a range of 400c to 480c/kg cwt. Light sheep $45 to $98/head.

Market reporter: Jenny Kelly