Australia-Sheep markets.
AUSTRALIA-SA weekly sheep summary
9/04/2009
Numbers drop
With the Easter long weekend approaching and two short kill weeks, it was expected that lamb numbers may drop as producers wait to see if any rainfall is in store over the next week. This was the case for sheep and lambs at markets reported by MLA’s NLRS.
The SA LE remains the largest selling centre despite a slightly reduced yarding being offered in mixed quality runs of crossbreds and Merinos. These sold to erratic competition from the usual trade and processor buyers at generally lower levels for trade and heavy lambs. However, feeder orders from Tintinara, Kapunda and Strathalbyn were active on lightweights and light trade weight crossbreds at mainly dearer levels. While there were many lightweight Merinos available, restockers and feeders tended to leave the very lightweights alone, while pursuing those showing more weight. Trade weight and heavy Merinos followed the lower crossbred prices and were generally cheaper on those categories.
Naracoorte’s small yarding sold to steady trade and processor competition from the usual small contingent of buyers also at generally lower levels. A local restocker was a very strong buyer of any store and light lamb at mainly dearer levels, as this sale tended to mirror the SA LE’s market. Light trades to restocker orders remained unchanged, while being cheaper on the remaining trade weights due to only three buyers operating. Heavy lamb sales retreated on small runs of 4 and 5 scores.
Sheep numbers were reduced, and tended to sell at fluctuating prices to any of the usual SA and Victorian processors operating.
Fluctuating trends
While the trade were keen to lower prices, feeder and restocker orders generally lifted theirs. Store and light lambs were mainly $4/head dearer as many sales rose into the mid to high 400¢ cwt price range, with some at the SA LE lifting above 500¢/kg. This competition left few for the trade who seemed content to pick over any pens left at rates mainly between 300¢ and 400¢/kg cwt. Light trade weights to feeder and restocker activity were basically unchanged as the sold up to $80/head, or in the mid 400¢/kg cwt price range. Trade purchases were mainly $1 to $7/head cheaper due to the varying quality on offer, as their sales ranged mainly between 380¢ and 450¢/kg cwt. Heavy 4 and 5 score crossbred lambs were anywhere between $4 and $12/head cheaper, with carcase weight prices averaging 407¢ at the SA LE, and 435¢/kg at Naracoorte. Heavy 3 and 4 score Merino prices averaged 360¢/kg cwt.
Sheep prices were harder to follow in erractically priced sales that varied between $1 and $10 cheaper; and unchanged to $5/head dearer on runs of crossbred and Merino ewes. This left carcase weights mainly in a 180¢ to 260¢/kg price range.
