Naracoorte Sheep Market Report

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Report Date: 13th May 2025

Total Yarding: 10,433

Commentary

Modest reduction in supply down to 8109 lambs and 2324 sheep. The lamb yarding had a bigger component of very light store lambs in score 1 and 2 condition. There was still a good lead of heavy fed lambs alongside a more mixed selection of tradeweights. Competition was solid from processors on quality processing lambs, while there was some dearer and very strong outcomes for some of the very light store lambs, particularly later drop types which can be fed on into late winter.

Heavy export lambs over 30kg cwt from $237 to a top of $286/head, the neater presented types over 800c/kg cwt but some pens of long-wools or smaller mixed lots under this benchmark rate. The run of heavy lambs from 26-30kg cwt had some softer spots at times which pulled the average back to around 800c/kg cwt. Best heavy trades to $219 at up to 850c/kg cwt. General run of trade lambs in the 22-24kg cwt range from $172 to $198/head. Store buyers paid to $166/head for bigger framed trade type lambs to feed on, but the strength of the market and higher carcass price costs were in the very light lambs at $108 to $154/head.

It was a mixed run of mutton with not many big lines available. Prices were firm to dearer with most ewes with some frame size and weight trending from an estimated 520c to 580c/kg cwt. Heaviest ewes $185 to $211/head. Middle run of sheep mostly $130 to $170/head. Buyers were less keen on really light drought affected sheep at $44 to $80/head.

Market reporter: Jenny Kelly