Sheep Market Summary – 14 May 2026

by | May 14, 2026 | Feedlots, Processing, Sheep

Previous Close Sheep Markets Summary

Sheep markets showed mostly firm to dearer trends nationally, with reduced lamb supplies and solid processor competition supporting trade, heavy lamb and mutton prices, while lighter store and feeder lambs remained more variable in quality-driven markets.

The trends appear to be:

  • Lamb supplies mixed, with lower numbers in several NSW and WA centres
  • Strong processor and export demand supporting trade and heavy lamb prices
  • Mutton markets generally firmer, particularly medium and heavy sheep
  • Store and feeder lambs softer or variable in mixed-quality yardings
  • Quality continuing to influence buyer competition and price outcomes
  • Selective buying limiting gains for lighter and secondary lambs

East Coast (QLD, NSW, VIC)

Mostly firm to dearer market overall, with stronger demand for trade lambs and mutton, while lighter store categories remained mixed

QLD (Warwick) saw:

  • Reduced yardings of both lambs and sheep
  • Trade and heavy lambs generally firm to dearer
  • Mixed trends for lighter store lambs depending on quality

NSW results were mostly firm:

  • Carcoar (6,629 total) saw mostly firm lamb prices, with mutton lifting $10–$20/head on stronger demand
  • Cowra (3,610 total) recorded firm to dearer lamb prices, while limited sheep supplies pushed ewe values higher
  • Yass (15,675 total) saw firmer trade and heavy lambs, softer store and feeder lambs, and stronger medium-weight mutton prices

VIC results were mixed:

  • Horsham (4,750 total) operated in a generally steady market
  • Hamilton (10,200 total) saw mixed trends with lower lamb numbers and increased sheep supply

Summary: Eastern states sheep markets remained mostly firm, supported by processor demand and tighter lamb supplies, while lighter store lambs continued to show variable results in quality-driven sales

Western Australia

Katanning (16,641 total) saw:

  • Reduced lamb yardings but higher sheep numbers
  • Strong festival-driven demand across lamb and mutton categories
  • Heavy lambs reaching record price levels
  • Most categories firm to dearer

Summary: A strong WA market, with export and festival demand driving broad price gains across lamb and sheep categories

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Sheep yardings & reports

Queensland
  • Warwick sheep report (MLA): Yarding: 1,367, (-1,177). Reduced yardings at Warwick saw a mixed-quality sheep and lamb market, with prices generally firm to dearer for trade and heavy lambs while lighter store lambs varied widely. Full report available here
New South Wales
  • Northern Wool Report (AWN) Watch the latest report here
  • SELX Yass sheep report (MLA): Yarding: 15,675, (+385). Mixed lamb quality led to softer store and feeder prices, while trade and heavy lambs were firmer, with mutton prices generally stronger for medium weights. Full report available here
  • Cowra sheep report (MLA): Yarding: 3,610, (-140). Slightly larger lamb numbers and solid buyer competition kept lamb prices firm to dearer, while limited mutton supplies lifted ewe values by up to $10/head. Full report available here
  • CTLX Carcoar sheep report (MLA): Yarding: 6,629, (-1,771). Reduced lamb supply and mixed quality saw mostly firm lamb prices, while stronger demand lifted mutton values by $10 to $20/head. Full report available here
  • Forbes sheep report (AWN) (12/5) View the latest report here
Victoria
  • EVLX Koonwarra sheep report (RLX) (12/5) Watch the latest report here
  • GVLX Shepparton sheep report (RLX) (12/5) Watch the latest report here
  • Horsham sheep report (MLA): Yarding: 4,750, (+150): Yarding: 19,877, (+2,247)Similar yardings and good quality at Horsham saw heavy lambs remain firm, trade lambs ease up to $10/head, and sheep prices strengthen on limited supply.  Full report available here. 
  • Hamilton sheep report (MLA): Yarding: 10,200, (-100). Increased yardings at Hamilton led to an erratic lamb market with heavier lambs easing, while the sheep market strengthened slightly on firmer demand. Full report available here
South Australia
  • No reports
Western Australia
  • Katanning sheep report (MLA): Yarding: 16,641, (-981) Reduced yarding and strong festival-driven demand lifted lamb and sheep prices at Katanning, with heavy lambs setting a record and most categories firm to dearer. Full report available here.
Tasmania
  • No reports