Hamilton Sheep & Lamb Market Report

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Report Date: 6th May 2026

Total Yarding: 10,300

Commentary

Hamilton Agents yarded 7,100 Lambs (1300 less} and 3,200 Sheep (1450 less) this week compared to last week’s offering. The quality was similar for the top end this week however the lighter trade lambs did not display the same quality with a larger tail of lambs suitable for the paddock and to feed on available at the bottom end. Not all of the regular buying group were present and not all were fully active in a market that was stronger more so for the heavier lambs over 26kg cwt by $10 to $15/head in places whilst the lighter better quality trade lambs remained firm to slightly dearer with trade lamb to average in a range between 1100 to 1300c/kg cwt topping at $360/head.

Suitable lambs to feed on or back to the paddock were generally trading between 200 and $280/head equating to 1200 to 1530c/kg cwt to be dearer in places. Light lambs 12 to 16kg sold from $200 to $256/head while trade lambs weighing 18 to 22kg made from $240 to $259/head. Lambs in the 22 to 26 kg range sold from $260 to $309 and heavier trade lambs making from $304 to a top of $360/head. Hoggetts topped at $322.

Sheep sold to strong competition to be dearer by $10/head and slightly more in places to average between 850 to 950c/kg cwt. Crossbred ewes to $296 and Crossbred wethers to $270/head. Shorn Merino wethers sold to $240 with Merino ewes selling to $229/head. Terminal Rams topped at $100/head.

Market Reporter Chris Agnew MLA