Hamilton Sheep & Lamb Market Report

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Report Date: 12th August 2026

Total Yarding: 2,300

Commentary

Hamilton Agents yarded 1,600 lambs this week 800 fewer than last week’s offering along with 700 sheep down 120 head on the previous sale. It was a very small lamb offering with the better end consisting mainly of supplementary-fed lambs predominantly medium weights along with some heavier trade lambs and a few quality lightweight trade lambs. Quality declined throughout the yarding with a portion of plainer lambs also presented. Most of the regular buying group was in attendance however, some buyers were not operating fully. Heavy lambs improved by $10 to $20/head while most trade lambs remained unchanged. Very few lambs were purchased to return to feed resulting in these lambs easing by up to $20/head. Trade lambs averaged between 1030c and 1200c/kg cwt with the market topping at $400/head.

Light lambs weighing 12 to 16kg sold from $130 to $176 while trade lambs weighing 18 to 22kg made $197 to $247/head. Lambs in the 22 to 26kg range sold from $245 to $288 and heavier trade lambs made from $300 to a top of $400/head. Hoggets reached $330/head.

In a small sheep offering heavy sheep were $20/head and in some cases slightly more. Medium and light mutton sold at unchanged rates averaging between 700c and 900c/kg cwt. Crossbred ewes sold to $276 with Merino ewes to $208 and Merino wethers to $226 and terminal rams to $149/head.

Market Reporter: Chris Agnew MLA.