Sheep Market Summary – 20 October 2026

Previous Close Sheep Markets Summary

Sheep markets were mixed but generally stronger, with strong demand lifting prices in NSW, South Australia, Tasmania and Western Australia, while Victoria finished firmer after a softer opening and some NSW markets eased.

The trends appear to be:

• Strong competition lifted lamb prices across several markets, particularly for heavy and export lambs.

• South Australian markets strengthened on active feeder and restocker demand, with a record price achieved at Dublin.

• Tasmania recorded a sharp improvement for new-season lambs.

• NSW results were mixed, with stronger lamb prices at Forbes and Inverell but softer conditions at Deniliquin.

• Mutton markets varied, strengthening in South Australia and WA but easing at Deniliquin.

New South Wales

• Forbes recorded fewer lambs, with good weight but more lambs showing signs of dryness. Strong competition lifted lamb prices, including export lambs.

• Inverell experienced much stronger demand, particularly for heavy crossbred lambs, while grown sheep were mixed to cheaper.

• Deniliquin recorded a softer market as mixed quality, lighter weights and reduced domestic buyer competition pressured lamb prices. Mutton also eased.

• Additional reports were available from Tamworth and Finley, without specific market trends provided.

Summary: NSW markets were mixed, with strong demand lifting lambs at Forbes and Inverell, while weaker domestic competition pressured prices at Deniliquin.

Victoria

• Ballarat recorded increased yardings as new-season lamb numbers and quality continued to improve. The market opened softer before finishing firm to dearer, with strong prices for heavy trade and heavier lambs.

Summary: Victorian lamb prices recovered through the sale, supported by improving quality and strong demand for heavier lambs.

South Australia

• Dublin recorded a mixed market, with heavy lambs dearer and a record price achieved, while lighter lambs and light-to-trade mutton eased.

• Naracoorte experienced a strong market, with lambs dearer and sheep firm to stronger on active feeder and restocker demand.

Summary: South Australian markets strengthened overall, led by strong feeder and restocker competition and excellent prices for heavy lambs.

Tasmania

• Powranna recorded a strong market for an excellent selection of new-season lambs, with prices improving substantially. Extra-heavy sheep also attracted strong returns.

Summary: Tasmanian sheep markets strengthened, with strong competition lifting new-season lamb prices.

Western Australia

• Muchea recorded stronger competition across an increased yarding, lifting lamb and mutton prices on active restocker and interstate demand.

Summary: WA sheep markets strengthened, with improved competition supporting both lambs and mutton.

National Summary

Australian sheep markets were generally stronger, supported by demand for heavy lambs and active feeder and restocker competition. South Australia, Tasmania and Western Australia recorded solid improvements, while NSW results varied by market and Deniliquin softened. Ballarat finished firmer after a weaker opening.

 👉 See full sale reports and videos below. 

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Sheep Marketplace New Listings

Sheep yardings & reports

Queensland

• No reports
  

New South Wales

• Forbes sheep report: Yarding: 32,400, (-6,100) Numbers fell to 32,400 head with plenty of weight but more lambs showing dryness; the usual buyers competed in a stronger market, with lambs lifting $5 to $8/head and export lambs to $388. Full report available here
• TRLX Tamworth sheep report (19/10) Watch the latest report here
  
• IRLX Inverell sheep report: Yarding: 2,963, (+481) Inverell’s yarding of 2,963 sheep and lambs met much dearer demand, particularly for heavy crossbred lambs reaching $430/head, while grown sheep trends were mixed to cheaper. Full report available here
  • MLA
  • RLX
• IRLX Inverell sheep report: Yarding: 2,963, (+481) Inverell’s yarding of 2,963 sheep and lambs met much dearer demand, particularly for heavy crossbred lambs reaching $430/head, while grown sheep trends were mixed to cheaper. Full report available here
• Deniliquin sheep report: Yarding: 8,700, (-450) Nearly 9,000 lambs and sheep were yarded in a softer market as mixed quality, lighter weights and reduced domestic buyer competition eased lamb prices modestly, while mutton fell around $10/head. Full report available here
• Finley sheep report. Read the latest report here

Victoria

• CVLX Ballarat sheep report: Yarding: 21,800, (+5,125) New season lamb numbers and quality keep improving; the market opened softer then ended firm to $10/head dearer, with heavy trade lambs making $277 to $345 and heavier lambs to $389. Full report available here
  • MLA
  • TB White

South Australia 

• Naracoorte sheep report: Yarding: 16,810, (+6,626) Increased yardings of 14,415 lambs and 2,395 sheep met a strong market, with lambs lifting $5–$15/head and sheep firm to $20 dearer as active feeder and restocker demand supported prices. Full report available here
  
  • MLA
  • Elders
• Dublin sheep report: Yarding: 8,000, (+2,000) Increased yardings of 6,500 lambs and 1,500 sheep met mixed trends, with heavy lambs dearer and a South Australian record $460/head achieved, while lighter lambs and light-to-trade mutton eased.  Full report available here
  • MLA
  • Elders
  • SD
• Naracoorte sheep report.Watch the latest report here

Western Australia

• Muchea sheep report: Yarding: 8,540, (+607) Increased yardings of over 8,500 sheep and lambs met stronger competition, lifting lamb prices by $5–$7/head and mutton by $10–$12/head, supported by active restocker and interstate demand. Full report available here
  • MLA
  • Nutrien

Tasmania

• Powranna sheep report: Yarding: 2,988, (-32) Fewer lambs penned but an excellent selection of new lambs met a strong market that improved $15 to $30, the best making $326 to $328, while extra heavy sheep made $230 to $272.  Full report available here

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