There were some good heavy shorn lambs in each agent’s run, but quality did quickly fade away into mixed lots of light and plain stock of various breeds.
The core buying group operated, and interest from processors was reasonable but selective.
One agency did pass in its lead run of shorn lambs after bidding did not reach expectations.
This report has not been compared to the last Deniliquin sale held in early December, due to the amount of time which has passed.
The carcase price averages for lambs were within the range of recent markets in the area.
Heavy shorn lambs in the 26kg to 30kg carcase weight (cwt) category sold from $227, to a top of $244/head.
Crossbred lambs weighing 24kg to 26kg made from $204 to $222/head.
These lambs, in shorter-skins and displaying good finish, were estimated in a range of 800c to 850c/kg cwt.
Quality across the medium and lighter weight lambs was very mixed, and included some very plain conditioned smaller store lambs.
Not a lot of sheep on offer after reports of cheaper mutton markets in the past week.
Some extra heavy meat ewes reached $215, but bidding rarely went over $190/head.
The general run of Merino ewes sold from $140 to $172/head.
Estimated mutton costs were from 510c for the heaviest sheep through to 600c/kg cwt plus on the more nicely weight trade ewes.
The bulk of sales in a range of 550c to 590c/kg cwt.
Top sales:
Lambs – AE Hermiston, $244; J & J Andrews, $240; AE Hermiston, $236.20.
Hoggets – Tiltagara Pastoral, $181.20; D & R Evans, $178.60; MB McKinnon, $175.
Sheep – S & L Fawns, $215.20; B & A Butcher, $200l Edward Park Pastoral, $200.
Rams – MB McKinnon, $150; AE Hermiston, $150; MB McKinnon, $149.
~ Details provided by Meat and Livestock Australia and Elders Rural Services Deniliquin, on behalf of the Deniliquin Associated Agents.