Market Report

FORBES SHEEP SALE MARKET REPORT 08/10/2024

Total Yarding – 40650 Hd

Lamb numbers increased and there were 10,000 new season lambs penned. The quality was good in the new season lamb run although there were signs of the lambs drying off. Old lambs were best represented by trade and heavy weights with light lambs and extra heavy weights remaining in short supply. There was a good run of heavy Merino lambs. The market trend was cheaper on the new season lambs while the light old lambs were dearer. Old trade weights were cheaper with quality a factor and dropped $8 to $10 while the heavy weights were firm to $2/head stronger.

New season trade weights sold from $168 to $210/head to average $4 to $5 cheaper while heavy weights ranged from $181 to $239/head. Most averaged 770c to 810c with a few of the freshest pens out to 840c to 850c/kg.

Old light lambs sold from $30 to $110/head up $7/head. Old trade weights sold from $120 to $197 and heavy weights $180 to $239/head. Trade weights were averaging 720c to 750c while the more consistent heavy weights ranged from 780c to 800c/kg cwt. Extra heavy lambs reached $274/head. The run of heavy Merino lambs sold to $236/head and heavy hoggets reached $188/head.

Mutton numbers eased and the quality was again good with plenty of medium and heavy mutton. Prices were $5 to $10 cheaper over most of the yarding. Medium weight ewes sold from $48 to $85 and heavy crossbreds $86 to $110/head. Merino ewes reached $129 and wethers $135/heads. Most ranged between 260c to 300c/kg.

FORBES SHEEP SALE MARKET REPORT 01/10/2024

Total Yarding – 34050 Hd

Lamb numbers fell and the quality of the yarding improved especially in the 9800 new season lambs. New season lambs were well supplied by stores and trade lambs and there was a bigger line up of heavy weights. Old lambs had a better supply of heavy weights and trade weights remain mixed in quality. Light old lambs were limited. Merino improved in quality and there were not as many light framed lambs and hogget. Overall the market was firm to dearer on most lambs.

New season lambs were $2 to $5 dearer for most with the trades selling from $173 to $215/head and heavy weights reached $248/head, most ranged from 780c to 840c/kg cwt.

Old trade weights were firm to slightly cheaper selling from $166 to $198/head and averaged 760c to 770c/kg, heavy weights were firm selling from $195 to $245/head or 790c/kg on average with the best of the lambs around 840c/kg. Extra heavy lambs only reached $250/head. Merino lambs were $10 stronger but there was a marked improvement in quality, trades sold from $129 to $191 and heavy weights reached $221/head and averaged 670c/kg. Heavy hoggets were up to $20 cheaper.

Mutton numbers lifted and the quality was better with plenty of medium and heavy weight sheep. Prices were cheaper and fell between $10 and $15/head across most of the mutton with the very heavy lines back $20 to $30/head. Medium weight ewes sold from 460 to $87 and heavy crossbreds reached $125/head. Merinos reached $122/head and the majority of the mutton sold from 280c to 310c/kg cwt.

FORBES CATTLE SALE MARKET REPORT 30/09/2024

Total Yarding – 1430 Hd

Numbers dropped slightly for a yarding of 1430 cattle. Quality was good with plenty on offer for feeders and restockers, prime yearlings were also well supplied. There were limited numbers of heavy grown cattle. All the regular buyers were present.

Young cattle to the trade held firm, prime yearling steers sold from 316c to 365c and prime yearling heifers, 290c to 356c/kg. Feeder steers were also firm, 310c to 400c, while feeder heifers sold cheaper, 260c to 347c/kg.

Prime grown cattle 5c cheaper, heavy steers sold from 270c to 357c, and heavy heifers, 270c to 355c/kg. Cows were firm to cheaper, 2 and 3 scores sold from 180c to 301c, and heavy prime cows, 305c to 322c/kg. Heavy bulls sold to 300c/kg.

FORBES SHEEP SALE MARKET REPORT 24/09/2024

Total Yarding – 38400 Hd

Lamb numbers eased and the quality was a little plainer. Around 9100 new season lambs were offered and the quality was back with a few lots starting to dry while heavy weights were slightly heavier with more around 26 to 27kg. Old lambs were best represented by heavy weights and extra heavy lambs were very scarce, trade weights were mixed and lighter weights were limited. Merino lambs also had a slip in quality with fewer light and trade weights offered and the heavy weights were not in the big runs of last week. The market sold to softer trends with most of the lambs firm to $5 cheaper and light and trade Merinos were $10 cheaper and heavy weights around firm.

New season trade weights sold from $173 to $210 and ranged from 780c to 830c/kg on most. Heavy weights were firm selling from $202 to $242/head.

Old trade weights ranged from $152 to $196/head and averaged 760c/kg. Lambs 24 to 26kg sold between $181 to $213/head and heavy weights to 30kg $205 to $242/head averaging 770c to 800c/kg cwt. Merino trades sold from $118 to $169/head averaging 650c/kg and heavy weights reached $198/head.

Mutton numbers were similar and the quality improved with more medium and heavy mutton. Prices lifted $15 to $20/head across a wide selection of mutton. Medium weight ewes sold from $52 to $92/head and heavy crossbreds $96 to $149/head. Merino ewes reached $140/head and most of the mutton sold in the range of 320c to 360c/kg cwt.

FORBES CATTLE SALE MARKET REPORT 23/09/2024

Total Yarding – 1553 Hd

There was a slight increase in numbers and the overall quality improved, with more runs of feeder steers. Trade cattle were well supplied, along with some well-finished heavy steers and bullocks and there were 385 cows. All the usual buyers were operating, selling to a firm to slightly softer market. Prime yearlings to suit the trade sold from 330c to 365c/kg. Medium weight feeder steers were a few cents better, making from 370c to 416c/kg, and the heavy weights were price unchanged, ranging from 350c to 375c/kg. Strong demand for heifers from the feedlot buyers resulted in price gains of 15c, topping at 360c/kg.

Heavy grown steers were a few cents cheaper, selling from 330c to 360c, and grown heifers were also cheaper, making from 290c to 335c/kg. Cows were up to 12c cheaper. Lighter 2 scores made from 155c to 230c, and heavy secondary types sold from 240c to 290c/kg. Heavy prime cows averaged 317c/kg. The best heavy weight bull to process reached 292c/kg.

FORBES SHEEP SALE MARKET REPORT 17/09/2024

Total Yarding – 41950 Hd

Overall the numbers eased but there was an increase in new season lambs. The quality was back a little with new season lambs varying more in weight with an increase in light stores and a mixed run of trade weights. There was a very good offering of heavy trade and heavy weights. Old lambs were also a bit plainer through the trade runs and well represented in the heavy weights with plenty of crop finished neatly shorn lambs. Merino also lifted in quality with fewer tailend light lambs offered. The market sold to softer trends.

New season lambs were $6 to $10 cheaper in the trade and heavy weights and ranged from $170 to $225/head or 810c to 850c/kg heavy weights reached $233/head. Store new season lambs sold from $$82 to $156/head.

Old 2 score processing lambs ranged from $103 to $136/head. Old trade lambs were $5 to $6 easier and ranged between $154 and $202/head to average 760c/kg. Lambs 24 to 26kg sold from $175 to $225/head or 775c to 800c/kg. Heavy weights to $207 to $240/head or 810c and extra heavy lambs reached $264/head. Merino trades and heavy weights were firm to $5 softer and trades sold from $148 to $196 and heavy weights topped at $236/head. The best priced hogget reached $189/head.

Mutton numbers eased and the quality remains mixed. Prices were $6 to $9 cheaper on the light and medium weights and remained firm on the heavy mutton. Medium weight ewes sold from $55 to $106 and heavy crossbreds reached $134/head. Heavy Merinos reached $135/head and most mutton ranged between 310c and 360c/kg.

FORBES CATTLE SALE MARKET REPORT 16/09/2024

Total Yarding – 1376 Hd

Numbers dropped by 609 for a yarding of 1376 cattle. Quality was good with heavy prime cattle well supplied, feeder cattle numbers were limited and cows were also well supplied. Most of the regular buyers were present.

Prime yearling steers held firm, 310c to 373c, while prime yearling heifers lifted 5c, 263c to 355c/kg. Feeder steers dropped 10c, 308c to 396c, and feeder heifers gained 16c, 300c to 355c/kg.

Prime grown steers sold 20c dearer, 280c to 376c, and prime grown heifers held firm, 290c to 357c/kg. Cows were firm to dearer, 2 and 3 scores sold from 245c to 312c, and heavy prime cows, 300c to 335c/kg. Heavy bulls sold to 293c/kg.

 

FORBES SHEEP SALE MARKET REPORT 03/09/2024

Total Yarding – 47700 Hd

Lamb numbers lifted and the quality was good with plenty of heavy trade and heavy lambs, extra heavy weights were limited and there was a shortage of light lambs. New season lamb numbers were back and most of the lambs fell into the trade and heavy weights. Merinos were well supplied with good numbers of trade weights and a few heavy lambs and the lighter weights made up most of the lighter 2 score processing lambs. The market sold to stronger trends with the trade and heavy crossbreds lifting $8 to $11 and Merino lambs gained $10 to $12/head. The lighter lambs under 20kg had gains of up to $15/head.

New season trade lambs sold from $180 to $220/head and most sold in the range of 860c to 900c/kg. Heavy new season lambs reached $234/head.

Old 2 score processing lambs sold from $69 to $149/head. Trade weights to 24kg ranged from $160 to $213/head and averaged 860c to 880c/kg cwt. Heavy weights to 26kg sold from $191 to $228 and lambs 26 to 30kg ranged from $213 to $250/head averaging 860c/kg. Extra heavy lambs reached $276/head or 815c/kg. Heavy Merino lambs sold from $184 to $230/head with the bulk selling between 770c and 810c/kg.

Mutton numbers lifted and the quality was good with plenty of medium and heavy weights offered along with a few big runs of light Merino wethers. Prices were $5 to $10/head cheaper. Merinos reached $160 and crossbreds $142/head. Most of the better mutton sold from 350c to 400c/kg cwt.

FORBES CATTLE SALE MARKET REPORT 02/09/2024

Total Yarding – 1945 Hd

Numbers lifted by 1172 for a yarding of 1945 cattle. Quality was mixed with good supplies of heavy prime cattle and feeder weights on offer. There was also a large yarding of prime cows. All the regular buyers were present.

Prime yearling steers were 8c dearer, 274c to 385c while prime yearling heifers sold cheaper, 270c to 372c/kg. Feeder steers lifted 5c, 340c to 420c and feeder heifers dropped 20c, 260c to 340c/kg.

Prime grown steers were down 12c, 260c to 383c, and prime grown heifers gained 10c, 250c to 370c/kg. Cows were 10c stronger, 2 and 3 scores sold from 210c to 315, and heavy prime cows, 305c to 340c/kg. Heavy bulls sold to 305c/kg.

 

FORBES SHEEP SALE MARKET REPORT 27/08/2024

Total Yarding – 44200 Hd

Lamb numbers were steady and the quality was again good. There were a few more new season lambs, 7400 and a few less Merino lambs. Trade and heavy lambs were best supplied and there was a better supply of extra heavy weights. The light 2 score lambs were limited. The lighter and trade lambs were cheaper while heavy weights and the better Merino lambs were dearer.

New season lambs were $5 to $8/head cheaper with the trade weights $167 to $205 and heavy weights reached $250/head most ranged from 780c to 830c/kg cwt.

Old 2 score processing lambs were mainly Merinos and sold from $55 to $128/head, trade lambs 20 to 24kg were back $10 to $12/head selling from $163 to $202/head and averaged 760c to 770c with the best of the trades out to 830c/kg. The 24 to 26kg lambs were also cheaper ranging from $199 to $238/head. Heavy lambs were firm selling from $208 to $250/head or 835c/kg on average. Extra heavy lambs topped at $306/head. Merino lambs were dearer and ranged from $135 to $216/head and ranged from 720c to 750c/kg for most.

Mutton numbers eased and the quality was good with a large percentage of the mutton carrying plenty of condition, prices were stronger for the majority of the mutton. Medium weight ewes sold from $55 to $115/head. Heavy crossbreds reached $146 and Merinos $167/head. lighter Mutton averaged 350c and the heavier 380c to 430c/kg.

FORBES CATTLE SALE MARKET REPORT 26/08/2024

Total Yarding – 773 Hd

Numbers dropped by 572 for a yarding of 773 cattle. Quality was fair with good numbers of feeder weights and prime yearlings on offer. Grown cattle and cows were in limited supply. Not all the regular buyers were present.

Prime yearling steers held firm selling from 348c to 388c while prime yearling heifers were 20c dearer and more in places, 280c to 375c/kg. Feeder steers fell 15c, 330c to 422c and heifers to feed gained 25c, 294c to 361c/kg.

Prime grown cattle lifted 8c, heavy steers sold from 304c to 367c and heavy heifers, 290c to 350c/kg. Cows dropped 10c, 2 and 3 scores sold from 273c to 301c and heavy prime cows, 300c to 331c/kg. Heavy bulls sold to 290c/kg.

 

FORBES SHEEP SALE MARKET REPORT 20/08/2024

Total Yarding – 45000 Hd

There was a slight decrease in lamb numbers, the quality was again good with big runs of trade and heavy lambs with plenty of condition. There were 6500 new season lambs and most were trade weights with a handful of heavy weights. Merinos were mixed in quality but sold to strong competition. There was a full field of buyers and the market trend was stronger.

New season lambs were $6 to $8 stronger with light trades selling from $170 to $197/head averaging 870c and the medium and heavy trade lambs $196 to $210/head or 850c/kg on average. Heavy lambs reached $247/head.

Old lambs lifted $6 to $12 with the trade weights 20 to 24kg selling from $172 to $200/head and averaged 825c to 840c/kg. Lambs 24 to 26kg mainly ranged from $207 to $226/head for the better covered 4 scores, heavy weights to 30kg sold from $214 to $255/head and averaged 840c/kg and extra heavy lambs topped at $300/head. Merino lambs were $10/head stronger on the 3 and 4 score lambs with the trade weights selling from $147 to $205 and heavy weights reached $230/head.

Mutton numbers eased and the quality was very mixed and included very light Merino ewes to extremely heavy crossbreds. Prices were firm on the medium weights and lifted $5 to $8 on the light and heavy weights. Medium weight ewes sold from $58 to $112/head. Heavy crossbreds reached $153 and Merino ewes $152/head. Most sold from 360c to 420c/kg cwt.

FORBES CATTLE SALE MARKET REPORT 19/08/2024

Total Yarding – 1345 Hd

Numbers dropped by 785 for a yarding of 1345 cattle. Quality was good with mostly feeder weights penned along with good numbers of young cattle suitable for the trade. There was limited numbers of prime grown cattle and cows were well supplied. Not all the regular buyers were present.

Prime yearling steers sold 11c dearer, 310c to 382c, while yearling heifers to the trade held firm, 250c to 358c/kg. Feeder steers gained 10c, 320c to 430c, and feeder heifers lifted 14c, 250c to 353c/kg.

Prime grown cattle fell 10c, heavy steers sold from 314c to 363c, and heavy heifers, 270c to 363c/kg. 2 and 3 score cows lifted 10c, 190c to 315c and heavy prime cows held firm, 317c to 340c/kg. Heavy bulls sold to 291c/kg.

 

FORBES SHEEP SALE MARKET REPORT 13/08/24

Total Yarding – 50280 Hd

Lamb numbers were similar and the quality was fair to good. There were 6300 new season lambs penned and most were trade or heavy weights. Old lambs were mixed in quality with the buyers preferring bare shore or short skinned lambs. The trade showed the greatest variation in quality and there were good numbers and improved quality through the heavy and extra heavy lambs. Merino were well supplied and all weights were offered. The market sold to mixed trends, new season trades averaged $2 to $4 dearer on the 20 to 24kg but cheaper on the heavier lines and old trades were $5 cheaper. Heavy and extra heavy lambs were cheaper slipping $5 to $10/head.

New season trades sold from $185 to $210/head and heavy weights $199 to $238/head. Old trade lambs 20 to 24kg cwt sold between $150 and $210 and averaged 740c to 760c/kg with the neater lambs out to 830c/kg. the 24 to 26kg lambs sold from $192 to $218 or 770c/kg on average. Heavy weights ranged from $204 to $259/head and averaged around 810c and extra heavy weights reached $275/head or 760c/kg cwt, Light and trade Merinos were stronger with the trades $120 to $188 and heavy weights reached $237/head.

Mutton numbers lifted and the quality was mixed there were plenty of 1 and 2 score sheep and some very heavy weights. Prices were back a few dollars. Medium weight ewes sold from $73 to $125 and heavy crossbreds $104 to $156/head. Merinos topped at $150 and most of the medium and heavy mutton averaged 330c to 380c with some wethers 410c/kg cwt.

FORBES CATTLE SALE MARKET REPORT 12/08/24

Total Yarding – 2130 Hd

Numbers remained similar to last week with 2130 cattle yarded. Quality was good with large supplies of young feeder weights on offer as well as a large yarding of heavy cows. All the regular buyers were present.

Young cattle to the trade were firm to dearer, prime yearling steers sold from 284c to 363c and prime yearling heifers, 230c to 350c/kg. Feeder cattle sold firm, steers to feed sold from 280c to 416c and feeder heifers, 256c to 372c/kg.

Prime grown cattle were dearer, heavy steers sold from 280c to 400c and heavy heifers, 320c to 372c/kg. Cows were 15c dearer, 2 and 3 scores sold from 145c to 324c and heavy prime cows, 312c to 335c/kg. Heavy bulls sold to 283c/kg.

 

FORBES SHEEP SALE MARKET REPORT 06/08/24

Total Yarding – 47300 Hd

Lamb numbers eased by 10,000 and the quality was good despite the extra numbers. There were a few more new season lambs and the old lambs consisted of a small run of light lambs and good numbers of trade weights although mixed in quality. The heavy and extra heavy lambs were well supplied and were in good condition. Merino lambs were also better supplied and there were plenty of lighter weights offered along with good numbers of trade and heavy weights. The market was softer on the crossbreds and dearer on the Merinos.

Around 2500 new season lambs were penned and most were trade weights and sold $2 to $4 cheaper, mainly ranging from $160 to $236/head and averaged 860c to 880c/kg cwt. Old 2 score processing lambs ranged from $90 to $142/head. Trade weights 20 to 24kg slipped $10/head and sold from $145 to $214/head, shorn lambs with 5 or 6mm of wool attracted a premium and trades averaged between 750 and 800c/kg. The 24 to 26kg lambs showed improved quality but were firm to $5 cheaper and sold from $198 to $226/head averaging 820c to 830c/kg. Heavy weights to 30kg ranged from $213 to $259/head and also averaged around 830c/kg. Extra heavy weights topped at $295/head. Merinos were $10 stronger with trades selling from $137 to $209 and heavy weights reached $249/head.

Mutton numbers lifted and the quality was again mixed with all weights and grades offered. Prices slightly stronger. Medium weight ewes sold from $62 to $102/head. Heavy crossbred ewes $113 to $165 and Merino ewes reached $157/head. Most averaged between 350c and 420c/kg cwt.

FORBES CATTLE SALE MARKET REPORT 05/08/24

Total Yarding – 2071 Hd

There was a large lift in supply to 2,071 cattle at Forbes an increase of 1,091 head from the previous sale. The increase in numbers attracted additional export buyers into the market. The overall quality was good with a number of consignments of crop and access to grain. Prices were firm to dearer across most classes.

Medium weight yearling steers to feed averaged 379c and made to 418c/kg. Heavy weight yearling steers to feed sold to 415c on a number of occasions with the largest numbers from 392c to 405c/kg. Heavy weight yearling heifers to feed made to 370c with most sales from 294c to 342c/kg. Heavy weight yearling heifers to the local trade market averaged 352 with the very occasional sale to 400c/kg.

Heavy grown steers to export processors made to 372 and the bullock portion made to 368c/kg. However some excellent quality heavy export heifers made to 369c to average 366c/kg. A handful of 6 and 8 tooth bullocks made to 340c to average 333c/kg.

Medium weight 2 score cows averaged 242c and made to 260c/kg. Heavy weight 3 score cows were noticeably dearer to averaged 288c and the best of the good heavy cows made to 315c to average 306c/kg. Heavy weight bulls made to 283c/kg.

FORBES SHEEP SALE MARKET REPORT 30/07/24

Total Yarding – 34350 Hd

Lamb numbers eased and the quality was a little plainer. There were more light and secondary trade lambs alongside good numbers of neat trade lambs and there was a good run of heavy weights. Extra heavy lambs were in short supply. A few new season lambs are starting to come onto the market and there were several pens of trade weights. The market sold to a stronger trend after the big fall last week.

New season trade lambs 18 to 26kg sold from $185 to $235/head averaging 890c to 920c/kg. The old 2 score processing lambs were up $12 selling from $96 to $136/head. Trade lambs 20 to 24kg gained $16 and sold from $156 to $210/head and averaged 830c to 840c/kg which included secondary trades. The neat trades were averaging 860c to 880c/kg. Lambs 24 to 26kg cwt ranged from $176 to $226 and heavy weights to 30kg $218 to $258/head. The better end sold from 830c to 870c/kg cwt. Extra heavy lambs reached $275/head. Heavy Merinos reached $195/head and most trade and heavy Merinos averaged 720c to 750c/kg. The best price for a hogget reached $191/head.

Mutton numbers nearly halved and the quality was plainer. Prices were cheaper on the medium and heavy weights fall around $15/head. Medium weight ewes sold from $47 to $100/head and heavy crossbred ewes sold from $84 to $116 and Merinos reached $144/head. Most sold in the range of 320c to 370c/kg cwt.

FORBES CATTLE SALE MARKET REPORT 29/07/24

Total Yarding – 980 Hd

Numbers rose by 180 for a yarding of 980 cattle. Quality was mixed with a limited supply of heavy prime cattle, heavy feeders were well supplied along with light cattle suitable for restockers and backgrounders. Most of the regular buyers were present.

Prime yearling steers sold cheaper, 220c to 350c and prime yearling heifers were firm to dearer, 300c to 368c/kg. Feeder steers were up to 30c dearer, 309c to 429c and feeder heifers up to 20c dearer, 208c to 360c/kg.

Prime grown cattle dropped 15c, heavy steers sold from 200c to 360c and heavy heifers, 225c to 355c/kg. Cows sold 7c cheaper, 2 and 3 scores sold from 170c to 285c and heavy prime cows, 288c to 300c/kg. Heavy bulls sold to 280c/kg.

 

FORBES SHEEP SALE MARKET REPORT 23/07/24

Total Yarding – 54940 Hd

Lamb numbers increased and the quality was mixed with the extra numbers. The trade lambs were mixed but did contain a few runs of beautifully presented shorn lambs. Heavy weights were well supplied and there were good numbers of extra heavy lambs. All the usual buyers were operating but the market sold to a cheaper trend.

Light lambs were $25 to $30 cheaper with the 2 score processing lambs selling from $68 to $113/head. Trade weights 20 to 24kg sold from $155 to $208/head with the bulk ranging from 780c to 850c/kg. The heavy lambs were hardest hit slipping $25 to $30/head on good quality lambs, the 24 to 26kg lambs sold from $200 to $226/head and averaged 820c/kg cwt. Heavy 26 to 30kg lambs sold from $210 to $255/head or 800c/kg cwt on average. The extra heavy weights ranged from $253 to a top of $315/head. Heavy Merinos were $15 to $20 softer selling from $170 to $220/head averaging from 720c to 780c/kg. The best priced hogget reached $188/head.

Mutton numbers lifted and the quality was mixed. Prices followed the softer trend with most mutton falling between $15 and $20/head. Medium weight ewes sold from $55 to $85/head. Heavy crossbred ewes ranged from $133 to $166 and heavy full wool Merino ewes reached $200/head. Most mutton sold between 380c to 450c/kg.