Market Report

FORBES SHEEP SALE MARKET REPORT 05/11/2024

Total Yarding – 27895 Hd

Lamb numbers eased and there were around 6400 new season lambs offered. The quality was back in the new season run with a plainer and lighter offering that was drier. Old lambs were also lighter and plainer with heavy weights in short supply. Shorn short skinned lambs attracted a lot of attention from buyers while longer skinned lambs were discounted. The market sold to cheaper trends with most falling $10 to $15/head. Shorn new season lambs and shorn old lambs with weight were firm to $5 dearer but numbers were limited on those lambs.

New season store lambs sold from $64 to $139/head and trade weights back to the paddock reached $160/head. trade lambs ranged from $135 to $196 and heavy weights $196 to $223/head. Most averaged from 790c to 830c/kg.

Old trade lambs were mixed in quality and sold from $114 to $178 with shorn lambs selling upto $207/head. The woolly old lambs sold between 600c and 730c while the shorn lambs 800c to 850c/kg. Heavy weights ranged from $186 to $231 and extra heavy lambs $244 to $276/head with old and new season shorn lambs ranging from 800c to 860c/kg. Heavy Merinos were firm on reduced numbers and sold from $171 to $218/head or 680c/kg.

Mutton numbers lifted and the quality was good with plenty of medium and heavy mutton. Prices were firm to $8 dearer with the medium weight ewes selling from $48 to $95 and heavy crossbred ewes reached $131/head. The best of the Merino ewes reached $136/head and most mutton ranged between 320c and 380c/kg.

FORBES CATTLE SALE MARKET REPORT 04/11/2024

Total Yarding – 1264 Hd

Numbers dropped by 580 for a yarding of 1264 cattle. Quality was mixed with prime yearlings and grown cattle well represented. Feeder weight cattle were also well supplied and there were limited numbers of cows. Not all the regular buyers were present.

Young cattle to the trade were down 15c to 20c, prime yearling steers sold from 260c to 344c, and prime yearling heifers, 261c to 337c/kg. Feeder steers slipped 6c, 290c to 357c, while feeder heifers held firm, 240c to 316c/kg.

Prime grown steers were firm to dearer, 270c to 359c, and prime grown heifers sold 10c cheaper, 270c to 346c/kg. Cows lifted 10c, 2 and 3 scores sold from 180c to 285c, and heavy prime cows, 285c to 300c/kg.

FORBES SHEEP SALE MARKET REPORT 29/10/2024

Total Yarding – 41000 Hd

There was an increase in lamb numbers and most came from the lift in new season lambs. 10,300 were penned and the quality slipped with most looking dry. Old lambs were mixed in condition and in the pens. Trade and heavy weights were well supplied and extra heavy lambs were limited. The market sold to weaker trends.

New season store lambs sold against the weakening trend and lifted around $9/head selling from $90 to $164/head. Trade lambs were $5 to $7 cheaper selling between $150 and $197/head and most averaged between 780c and 820c/kg. Heavy weights were $5 softer ranging from $191 to $255/head averaging 840c/kg.

Old trade weights were back $10 to $12 with the bulk $159 to $195/head and new season shorn lambs reached $215/head. the bulk of the old lambs averaged 760c to 800c/kg. Heavy weights were firm to $5 easier $184 to $258/head and averaged 840c/kg, extra heavy lambs topped at $277.60/head. Heavy Merinos were $10 cheaper and reached $212 and the best price for a hogget was $180/head.

Mutton numbers lifted and the quality was very good with plenty of heavy and extra heavy mutton along with well covered medium weights. Prices were firm to $3 softer. Medium weight ewes sold from $58 to $88 and heavy crossbreds reached $128/head. The best of the Merinos reached $136/head and most sold from 320c to 360c/kg cwt.

FORBES CATTLE SALE MARKET REPORT 28/10/2024

Total Yarding – 1844 Hd

Numbers lifted by 581 for a yarding of 1844 cattle. Quality was mixed with mostly feeder weights penned along with good supplies of prime yearlings. Heavy grown cattle were limited along with heavy prime cows. All the regular buyers were present.

Prime yearling steers were 6c dearer, 270c to 367c, and prime yearling heifers were up to 16c better, 230c to 340c/kg. Feeder steers lifted 5c, 280c to 366c, and feeder heifers were up 6c, 220c to 318c/kg.

Prime grown steers dropped 20c, 245c to 353c, while prime grown heifers were firm to dearer, 240c to 350c/kg. Cows eased 5c, 2 and 3 scores sold from 180c to 279c, and heavy prime cows, 278c to 287c/kg. Heavy bulls sold to 290c/kg.

 

FORBES SHEEP SALE MARKET REPORT 22/10/2024

Total Yarding – 31150 Hd

Lamb numbers eased and the quality of the 8600 new season lambs penned was back with more looking dry in the skin. Trade and heavy weights were well supplied and there were a few stores and only a limited numbers of extra heavy lambs. Old lambs were very mixed with buyers preferring the shorter skins. Heavy old lambs were best supplied and extra heavies were limited. The market sold to stronger trends.

New season lambs were $6 to $7 dearer on average with the trades $166 to $212 and heavy weights $195 to $262/head, most ranged from 820c to 860c/kg. a pen of extra heavy lambs reached $269/head.

Old trade weights were $6 to $10 dearer selling from $161 to $215 and heavy weights ranged from $194 to $258/head with the bulk of the heavy trade and heavy lambs selling from 820c to 850c/kg. Extra heavy lambs reached $277/head. Merino trades were $18 to $20/head dearer after a soft market last week and sold from $155 to $184 averaging 700c to 750c/kg and heavy weights reached $225/head.

Mutton numbers were steady and the quality good with plenty of heavy and extra heavy mutton penned. Prices were stronger lifting between $5 and $15/head. Medium weight ewes sold from $58 to $88/head and heavy crossbreds reached $125 while very heavy Merinos reached $150/head. Most sold from 320c to 365c/kg cwt.

FORBES CATTLE SALE MARKET REPORT 21/10/2024

Total Yarding – 1263 Hd

Numbers dropped by 539 for a yarding of 1263 cattle. Quality remained good with a large supply of heavy prime cattle along with lighter well bred feeder weights. Steers generally sold dearer, while heifers dropped in price. All the regular buyers were present.

Prime yearling steers were a few cents dearer, 240c to 364c, and prime yearling heifers were down 15c, 210c to 340c/kg. Feeder steers gained 8c, 280c to 360c, while feeder heifers eased 5c, 230c to 310c. Restocker steers sold in the range of 220c to 390c/kg.

Prime grown steers were up to 20c dearer in places, 244c to 369c, while prime grown heifers held firm, 255c to 345c/kg. Cows sold 5c cheaper, 2 and 3 scores sold from 150c to 282c, and heavy prime cows, 282c to 295c/kg. Heavy bulls sold to 280c/kg.

FORBES SHEEP SALE MARKET REPORT 15/10/2024

Total Yarding – 39300 Hd

Numbers remain similar and just over 10,000 new season lambs were penned. The quality of the new season lambs was good although there were a few with Bathurst Burr on the skin. Old lambs quality was mixed in the trade runs and more consistent in the heavy weights. Extra heavy lambs were limited. Merino lambs were back in volume and lighter weights were heavily discounted. The majority of the market sold to a firm to dearer trend.

New season trade weights ranged from $155 to $210 and heavy weights $190 to $246 and a pen of extra heavy lambs reached $248/head. Most ranged from 780c to 830ckg and were firm.

Old trade lambs were $10 to $15 dearer after a slow previous week and ranged from $152 to $187/head averaging 780c/kg. Heavy weights to 30kg sold from $175 to $238/head and were firm to slightly stronger in places and extra heavy lambs sold from $233 to $264/head. Light and plain Merinos were $15 to $20 cheaper while most Merino 24kg and heavier with cover were firm, Heavy weights sold from $186 to $210/head.

Mutton numbers were back and the quality was very mixed from the very light 1 score ewes to very heavy crossbreds. Prices were stronger lifting $7 to $11/head, medium weight ewes sold from $54 to $98/head and heavy crossbreds reached $117 while heavy Merinos with a big skin made to $136/head. Most sold from 280c to 335c/kg cwt.

FORBES CATTLE SALE MARKET REPORT 14/10/2024

Total Yarding – 1802 Hd

Numbers lifted by 372 for a yarding of 1802 cattle. Quality was good with an excellent yarding of prime yearlings and grown cattle. There was limited supply of feeder types on offer as well as a small supply of cows. All the regular buyers were present.

Prime yearling steers were slightly cheaper, 265c to 360c, while prime yearling heifers gained 4c, 281c to 345c/kg. Feeder steers were considerably cheaper, 302c to 365c, and feeder heifers eased 5c, 270c to 325c/kg.

Prime grown cattle were up to 15c better in places, heavy steers sold from 284c to 358c, and heavy heifers, 265c to 344c/kg. Cows dropped 15c, 2 and 3 scores sold from 180c to 280c, and heavy prime cows, 285c to 318c/kg. Heavy bulls sold to 296c/kg.

 

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.