Sheep Market Summary – 6 May 2026

by | May 5, 2026 | Feedlots, Processing, Sheep

Previous Close Sheep Markets Summary

Sheep markets showed generally firm to stronger trends nationally, with reduced lamb supply and solid competition lifting most prices, although mixed quality continued to influence results across some categories. 

The trends appear to be:

  • Supply lower overall, particularly lamb numbers, while sheep numbers lifted in some regions
  • Strong competition driving price gains across most lamb categories
  • Heavy and well-finished lambs achieving standout results
  • Store lamb and plainer stock demand mixed, with some softer outcomes
  • Mutton mixed, with improvements in some areas but softer results where quality was lacking
  • Market remains quality-driven, with finished stock attracting the strongest competition

 

East Coast (NSW, VIC) 

  • Firm to stronger market overall, supported by reduced supply and solid buyer demand, though quality continues to impact results
  • NSW saw:
    • Forbes (8,300 lambs, 21,300 sheep) saw:
      • Sharp drop in lamb numbers
      • Firmer market with most prices lifting $5–$8/head
      • Mixed quality, with plainer mutton limiting gains
    • Inverell (2,547 lambs, 1,636 sheep) saw:
      • Reduced yarding
      • Strong competition lifting most categories
      • Heavy lambs exceeding $400/head
  • VIC (Ballarat) saw:
    • Slightly lower yarding (14,730 lambs, 2,900 sheep)
    • Mixed to steady market conditions
    • Demand remaining selective depending on quality

Summary: Eastern states recorded firm to stronger markets overall, driven by tighter lamb supply and solid competition, with best results seen in well-finished stock

South Australia

  • Naracoorte (2,069 lambs, 1,078 sheep) saw:
    • Stable yarding
    • Firm prices with strong demand for quality heavy lambs
  • Dublin (5,500 lambs, 1,000 sheep) saw:
    • Reduced numbers
    • Softer overall market
    • Store lambs and trade weights holding firm

Summary: Mixed market, with firm results for quality stock at Naracoorte offset by softer conditions at Dublin

Tasmania

  • Powranna (1,013 lambs, 1,210 sheep) saw:
    • Smaller yarding
    • Solid prices for well-finished lambs and mutton
    • Store lambs and light sheep facing softer demand

Summary: Mixed market, with strong results for finished stock but weaker demand for lighter categories

Western Australia

  • Muchea (7,029 lambs, 3,876 sheep) saw:
    • Increased yarding
    • Strong competition from feedlot and eastern buyers
    • Most lamb categories dearer
    • Mutton improving $4–$5/head
  • Dublin (5,500 lambs, 1,000 sheep) saw:
    • Reduced numbers
    • Softer overall market
    • Store lambs and trade weights holding firm

Summary: Firm to stronger market supported by strong competition and increased buyer activity

👉 See full sale reports and videos below 

 

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Sheep yardings & reports

Queensland
  • Warwick sheep report (MLA): Yarding: 2,544, (-155). Increased numbers of plain young lambs saw easier trends, while scarce trade lambs and all sheep categories sold to stronger competition and dearer prices. Full report available here
New South Wales
  • CTLX Carcoar sheep report (MLA): Yarding: 8,400, (-170). Increased lamb supply and improved quality saw firm trade prices but softer heavy lambs, while reduced mutton numbers lifted prices slightly despite lower quality. Full report available here
  • SELX Yass sheep report (MLA): Yarding: 15,290, (+3,050). Steady lamb supply saw mixed trends with dearer light lambs, firm trade weights and softer heavy lambs, while improved mutton quality pushed prices higher. Full report available here.
  • Cowra sheep report (MLA): Yarding: 3,750, (+100). Steady numbers and improved quality saw firm trade lamb prices but softer competition overall, with heavy lambs easing while mutton remained mostly steady. Full report available here
  • Forbes sheep report (AWN) (5/5) View the latest report here
  • Northern Wool Report (AWN) Watch the latest report here
Victoria
  • Horsham sheep report (MLA): Yarding: 4,600, (-1,550). Reduced yardings saw firm demand for well-finished lambs and generally steady sheep prices, while plainer types eased slightly amid selective buying. Full report available here, 
  • Hamilton sheep report (MLA): Yarding: 10,300, (-1,900). Reduced yardings and mixed buyer activity saw stronger prices for heavy lambs and sheep, with lighter trade lambs firm and increased numbers of store types. Full report available here
  • Southern Wool Report (AWN) Watch the latest report here
South Australia
  • Naracoorte sheep report (Elders) (5/5): Yarding: 3,145. View the latest report here
Western Australia
  • Katanning sheep report (MLA): Yarding: 17,622, (+7,672). Increased yarding and improved quality drove stronger prices across most lamb and mutton categories, led by heavy lambs and mutton, while lighter lambs eased slightly. Full report available here. 
  • Muchea sheep report (Nutrien) (5/5) View the latest report here
Tasmania
  • No Report