23 October 2020

Light ewes selling incredibly well

Sheep and lamb numbers increased again this week, with agents offering 9,000 lambs and 3,000 sheep to the usual array of buyers with an additional Victorian order back in the market.

Quality was generally good, however the bulk of the new seasons lacked the freshness of recent weeks.

All lambs were firm to slightly dearer with best of the heavy’s making just north of $200.

Mutton prices were on the move up in excess of $20 in most categories, with heaviest types making up to $200.

Light ewes are selling incredibly well ranging from $120 ‑ $145.

Cattle quality was extremely mixed with processors outbid on many suitable lines, as feeders and restockers bid with abandon.

A good number of the young and grown cattle came from the Eyre and Yorke Peninsulas and these were in ideal condition, however the cow portion having had calves recently weaned were mostly C and D2 descriptions.

Light vealer steers went to restockers from 420 ‑ 460c, medium weights to processors ranged from 388 ‑ 438c, feeders made from 374 ‑ 394c with restockers active from 422 ‑ 440c with most sales up by as much as 30c/kg.

Light cows to processors remained firm and sold to 260c with restockers active from 280 ‑ 316c, medium weight cows to the trade made from 220c to a top of 300c with heavy cows ranging from 240 ‑ 294c/kg.