Previous Close Sheep Markets Summary
Sheep and lamb markets were generally firm to dearer across the eastern states, with tighter supplies and strong processor competition supporting higher prices, while Western Australia was the exception as adverse weather and reduced buying activity weighed on lamb values.
The trends appear to be:
- National supply lower overall, particularly for lambs, with daily throughput down sharply
- Strong processor and restocker competition supporting most eastern markets
- Trade and export lambs generally dearer across NSW, Tasmania, and South Australia
- Mutton markets mostly firm to stronger, driven by processor demand and tighter supplies’
- Quality and competition remained key drivers, with better-finished stock attracting premiums
- Western Australia diverged from eastern trends, with weather disruptions and weaker competition pressuring lamb prices.
East Coast (NSW, VIC, SA, TAS)
Overall, sheep and lamb markets remained firm to stronger, supported by reduced offerings, active buyer competition, and continued processor demand.
NSW results were mostly stronger:
Forbes (25,700 head) saw:
- Reduced lamb numbers but higher sheep supply
- Strong buyer competition across all sectors
- Trade lambs, export lambs, and store stock selling dearer
- Mutton prices also improving
Inverell (3,201 head) saw:
- Increased yardings and strong buyer participation
- Heavy lambs selling dearer
- Mixed trends in sheep, with grown sheep generally cheaper
- Variable results for ewes and hoggets
VIC remained firm:
Ballarat (17,914 head) saw:
- Slight increases in both lamb and sheep numbers
- Market generally holding recent gains
- Continued support from processors and trade buyers
SA recorded solid results:
Dublin (5,000 head) saw:
- Smaller yarding
- Firm lamb prices overall
- Steady processor demand
- Improved restocker interest for Merino lambs
TAS stood out:
Powranna (1,956 head) saw:
- Larger lamb offering
- Additional interstate buyer support
- Lambs lifting $10–$25/head
- Strong mutton demand
Summary: Eastern sheep and lamb markets remained firm to dearer, supported by lower supplies, strong processor demand, and active competition for quality lambs. Trade, export, and store lambs generally recorded positive results, while mutton markets remained well supported.
Western Australia
Muchea (5,116 head) saw:
- Significantly reduced yardings due to severe weather
- Reduced buyer competition
- Lamb prices easing across most categories
- Heavy mutton the only category to strengthen
Summary: Western Australia’s market softened, with adverse weather conditions and reduced buying activity weighing on lamb prices, although heavy mutton continued to attract solid support.
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Sheep Marketplace New Listings
Sheep yardings & reports
Queensland
- No Reports
New South Wales
- Corowa sheep report (MLA): Yarding: 7,040, (-3,060). Lower numbers and improved quality drove lamb and mutton prices to new highs, with trade lambs up $5–$15 and heavy sheep gaining up to $30/head. Full report available here
- TRLX Tamworth sheep report (MLA): Yarding: 1,160, (-640). Reduced yardings and improved quality lifted the market, with trade and heavy lambs gaining $8–$15/head and sheep prices remaining strong. Full report available here.
- Dubbo sheep report (MLA): Yarding: 15,625, (-5,955). Reduced yardings and strong processor demand lifted lamb prices by $11–$20/head and drove mutton values sharply higher, with heavy sheep gaining up to $40/head. Full report available here.
Victoria
- GVLX Shepparton sheep report (RLX) (29/5). Watch the latest report here
- Bendigo sheep report (MLA): Yarding: 11,360, (+1,260). Lamb prices eased slightly in a selective market, while sheep prices strengthened, highlighted by exceptionally strong demand for heavy mutton and Merino wethers. Full report available here
South Australia
- No Reports
Western Australia
- No Reports
Tasmania
- No Reports