Naracoorte Sheep Market Report

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Report Date: 29th October 2024

Total Yarding: 18,423

Commentary

Numbers lifted for the biggest yarding held at Naracoorte for some time, the 16,389 lambs signalling the start of the spring flush at the centre. The lead lambs of young lambs presented very well, showing good finish and freshness despite the tough season in the area. However weight was limited with heavy lambs over 26kg cwt in restricted numbers and the yarding did comprise a lot of lambs weighing between 18-24kg cwt. Price trends were solid over the heavier young lambs, while the market lost traction on the general run of medium trades around 20-23kg cwt. Light store lambs remained strongly supported.

A few pens of export weighted young lambs sold from $250 to a top of $272/head, and what was interesting was they tended to be smaller lots of less than 40 head, highlighting the small percentage of drafts making heavy weights this season. Heavy trade type lambs in the 26-28kg cwt range mostly $214 to $245/head. On a carcass basis these lead lambs consistently sold for more than 800c/kg cwt, some of the neatest pens up around 850c/kg and better. Where bidding became more selective was on the mid-range trade lambs and carcass price estimates for these were usually under 800c/kg, for averages of 720c to 770c/kg across reasonable numbers sold. The main runs of 22-24kg cwt young lambs sold from $160 to $198 to average $174; while the 20-22kg cwt pens made from $151 to $169 to average $158/head.

Restockers and feedlots paid from $130 to $155 for young lambs showing some frame and growth. Small lightweight lambs mostly $60 to $125/head, and there was some high carcass price rates recorded for a line of very immature second-cross lambs that were small but showed excellent breed quality and potential.

Sheep numbers increased to 2034 head, however it was still a fairly scrappy long-up of smaller lots. Prices were similar to a week ago, the biggest meat ewes $94 to $115/head and Merino ewes to $109. Lighter trade sheep mostly $55 to $85/head.

Market reporter: Jenny Kelly