Dubbo Saleyard Report: Significant Increase in Yarding
At the Dubbo saleyard, there was a noteworthy increase in total yarding, reaching 21,230, which is 5,470 more than the previous sale. The sheep yarding stood at 9,500, up by 2,980, while lamb yarding was 11,730, an increase of 2,490.
The first sale of the year saw a lift of 2,500 in lamb numbers, resulting in a yarding of 11,730 lambs. The yarding was diverse, featuring heavy weight lambs, a fair selection of trade weights, and numerous secondary lambs. The market was solid with most regular buyers present.
In the lamb market, lightweight lambs to processors were up to $35 dearer, selling from $44 to $116 per head for 12kg to 18kg 2 scores. Trade lambs were $20 to $26 dearer, with old trade weight lambs (20kg to 24kg) fetching between $126 and $185 per head. New season lambs sold from $119 to $173. Heavy weight lambs saw a $23 increase in price, with old lambs over 24kg selling from $167 to $263 per head. Merino lambs and hoggets were also dearer, fetching up to $165 and $130 per head, respectively.
Mutton yarding was mixed with 9,500 head, most grades seeing up to $25 per head increase. Merino ewes were priced from $36 to $93, while crossbred ewes ranged from $35 to $90 per head. Restockers were particularly active, paying between $29 to $70 for exotic ewes and $15 to $46 for Merino ewes.
Bendigo Saleyard Report: Improved Quality and Strong Market
The Bendigo saleyard reported a total yarding of 18,359, an increase of 2,209 from the last sale. The sheep yarding stood at 4,078 (up by 1,488), and lamb yarding was 14,281 (up by 721).
Despite expectations of 27,000 lambs and sheep for the first sale of 2024, numbers fell to 14,200 lambs and 4,078 sheep due to extensive rain. Lamb quality improved across the yarding, with all categories experiencing a stronger market. Store buyers pushed light lambs, while processors competed for numbers, resulting in an average increase of $25 to $35 per head.
Store buyers paid $32 to $138 per head for paddock lambs. Light trade lambs suitable for MK orders ranged from $52 to $140 per head, with 18 to 22kg lambs selling from $128 to $160. Lambs weighing 22 to 26kg fetched $156 to $188 per head. Shorn lambs were in high demand, with 18 to 24kg lambs selling from $138 to $188 per head and those over 26kg fetching $183 to $254 per head.
The smaller mutton yarding saw a $20 per head increase. Merino wethers reached up to $66 per head, with Merino ewes selling from $44 to $91 per head. Crossbred mutton averaged around 250c/kg cwt, selling from $33 to $90 per head.
Summary
Both Dubbo and Bendigo saleyards experienced a significant increase in total yarding, with improved quality and stronger markets noted, particularly in lamb categories. The first sales of the year at both yards saw active participation from usual buyers and restockers, indicating a robust start to the year in sheep and lamb markets.
