Forbes Sheep Sale Market Report

14/11/2017

Yarded – 28,100   Lambs 19,550   Sheep 8,550

Numbers increased this sale with both lambs and mutton showing the increase. Lamb quality was reduced from the previous sale with a larger percentage of plainer lambs penned, although there were some well-presented new season lambs offered. There was less weight yarded than in the previous sale. The usual buyers were present and competing in a fairly steady market that fluctuated with the quality offered.
Light new season lambs sold from $117 to $125/head. Trade weights were firm to $5/head easier, related to the decrease in quality offered. Prices ranged from $127 to $157/head. Heavy and extra heavy weights were also easier due to the quality offered. Heavy lambs sold from $151 to $168 and extra heavy weights from $162 to $183/head. Carcase prices averaged 630c to 644c/kg cwt.
Old trade weight lambs sold from $120 to $148/head. Heavy lambs received from $147 to $156 and extra heavy weights sold from $159 to $198/head.
Mutton numbers were made up predominantly of Merinos and quality was very mixed. There were some quality pens of heavy sheep offered along with the lighter plainer types. Prices were firm to slightly dearer with Merino ewes selling from $100 to $148/head. Crossbreds sold from $99 to $148/head. Dorper ewes received from $86 to $132/head. Merino wethers ranged in price from $95 to $158/head.