Hamilton Sheep Market Report

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Report Date: 24th July 2024

Total Yarding: 7,745

Commentary

Hamilton agents yarded 4,665 lambs along with 3,080 sheep at this weeks market some 3,750 less than last week. It was a very lack lustre yarding of lambs which was very mixed and plain with only a small percentage of the yarding suitable for the top end of the trade. The sheep offering was not as mixed and an improvement on last weeks yarding with mainly good Merinos on offer. Not all the regular buyers were present or actively engaged. Due to price reduction feeder and restocker interest was again active.

The market for lambs was very soft over most categories with light lambs being $20 to $30/head cheaper and the small number of lambs to the trade $10 to $15/head softer. Most of the better lambs to the trade realized between 750 and 900c/kg cwt. The best heavy lambs topped at $262/head.

Light 12 to 16kg lambs sold from $16 to $78/head with lambs to the trade 18 to 22kg selling from $145 to $185/head with the 22 to 26kg making from $142 to $214/head. Hoggets topped at $196/head.

Despite a lift in quality, sheep retreated $25/head. The general run of mutton selling to average between 350 and 430c/kg cwt. Heavy crossbred ewes sold to $129/head with Merino ewes to $112/head. Merino wethers sold to $133/head and terminal sires making to $31/head.

Market Reporter Chris Agnew.