The “roaring drought” and no sale next week pushed numbers of grown sheep up to almost 20,000 at today’s weekly sheep and lamb sale – something most agents haven’t seen at Dubbo.
A total of 40,140 head were yarded at today’s sale.
Despite the large numbers, local agent Tim Wiggins from Christie and Hood said demand was very strong for grown sheep.
“95 per cent of the demand is coming from processors,” he said. “There is very little demand coming from restockers.”
According to the Meat and Livestock Australia saleyard report, most categories trended dearer at today’s sale.
Most lamb categories sold dearer, making up to $119/head for light weight lambs and up to $155/head for trade lambs.
Heavy weight lambs were up to $5/head cheaper, selling to $205/head.
Merino lambs sold up to $142 while restocker lambs were firm, selling to $107/head. Hogets sold to $172/head.
Light and medium weight sheep firm, selling to $93 for two-score ewes and up to $195/head for three- and four-score Merino ewes and $182/head for crossbreds.
Heavy weight, full wool Merino wethers sold to $200/head.