Sheep Market Summary – 26 August 2026

by | Aug 27, 2026 | Saleyards, Sheep, Sheep Market Summary

Previous Close Sheep Markets Summary

Sheep markets were mixed, with reduced yardings following rain supporting prices in NSW and Queensland, while Katanning recorded significant lamb price falls amid weaker demand.

The trends appear to be:

  • Reduced supplies following rain supported competition in NSW and Queensland.
  • Prime and heavy lambs strengthened at Warwick and Cowra, with Cowra’s extra-heavy lambs reaching $429.20/head.
  • Heavy ewes strengthened at Carcoar, while mutton demand was also firm at Warwick.
  • Katanning lamb prices fell $10–$30/head across weight categories, although store and medium ewes strengthened.
  • National yardings remained well below previous levels, with lamb numbers down sharply.

Queensland

  • Warwick yarded 984 lambs and 406 sheep, with strong competition driving prime lamb and mutton prices higher, while well-bred store lambs attracted strong restocker demand.

 Summary: Queensland markets strengthened on strong buyer competition, with both prime lambs and mutton dearer.

New South Wales

  • Carcoar yarded 1,575 lambs and 1,505 sheep, with a rain-reduced yarding holding the lamb market mostly firm while heavy ewes gained $12–$25/head.
  • Cowra yarded 2,900 lambs and 325 sheep, with excellent quality supporting firm trade lamb prices and extra-heavy lambs reaching $429.20/head. 

Summary: NSW markets remained firm to stronger as rain-reduced supplies and good-quality lambs supported demand.

Victoria

  • Hamilton yarded 1,250 lambs and 1,250 sheep.
  • Horsham recorded a reduced yarding of 2,900 lambs and 325 sheep. 

Summary: Victorian yardings declined, with limited price detail available from the reported sales.

Western Australia

  • Katanning yarded 3,896 lambs and 2,085 sheep, with lamb prices falling $10–$30/head across weight categories, while store and medium ewes strengthened and heavy ewes remained firm.

 Summary: WA markets were weaker for lambs, although ewe demand provided some support.

National Summary

Australian sheep markets were mixed as rain reduced supplies across eastern markets, supporting firm to stronger lamb and mutton prices, while weaker demand at Katanning pressured lamb values.

👉 See full sale reports and videos below. 

Sheep Marketplace New Listings

Sheep marketplace listings

Sheep yardings & reports

Queensland
  • Warwick sheep report (Inc audio): Yarding: 1,390, (+103) Warwick yarded 1,390 head, with strong buyer competition driving dearer prices for prime lambs and mutton, while better-bred store lambs attracted strong restocker demand. Full report available here
New South Wales
  • IRLX Inverell sheep report (25/8) Watch the latest report here
  • TRLX Tamworth sheep report (24/8) Watch the latest report here
  • Northern Wool Report (25/8) Watch the latest report here
  • Forbes sheep report (25/8) Watch the latest report here
  • CTLX Carcoar sheep report (Inc audio): Yarding: 3,080, (-1,775) Limited yarding following rain, with good competition keeping the lamb market mostly firm and heavy ewes $12–$25/head dearer. Full report available here
  • Cowra sheep report (Inc audio): Yarding: 3,225, (-1,835) Smaller yarding with excellent lamb quality, as trade lambs held firm and extra-heavy lambs strengthened sharply to a top of $429.20/head. Full report available here
Victoria
  • Southern Wool Report (25/8) Watch the latest report here
    • Hamilton sheep report: Yarding: 2,500, (-1,000) Hamilton’s small lamb yarding was generally firm to dearer, with supplementary-fed lambs gaining $10–$15/head, while sheep remained mostly firm. Full report available here
    • Horsham sheep report (Inc audio): Yarding: 3,225, (-1,835) Smaller yarding with excellent lamb quality, as trade lambs held firm and extra-heavy lambs strengthened to a top of $429.20/head, while heavy ewes sold strongly. Full report available here
    South Australia 
    • No Reports
    Western Australia
    • Fremantle Wool Report (25/8) Watch the latest report here
    • Katanning sheep report (Inc audio): Yarding: 5,981, (-4,369) Katanning yarded 5,981 head, with lamb prices falling $10–$30 across weight categories, while store and medium ewes strengthened and heavy ewes remained firm. Full report available here
    Tasmania
    • No Reports