Strong sheep prices have resulted in turnover at the Deniliquin Saleyards of about $4 million more than last financial year.
Saleyards operator Greg White said the yearly total was $28,911,876.60, and driven by the concept of supply and demand.
“The total highlights what an asset the saleyards are for the Deniliquin region,” Mr White said.
“We had such a significant increase because sheep numbers brought to sale were up slightly on the previous 12 months.
“But prices have also been up because of the shortage of sheep across the country, particularly for heavy lambs at this time of the year.
“I expect the higher prices will go on for a little while yet, but it’s always seasonal.”
Sheep sales are held every second Tuesday at the Deniliquin Saleyards, with this week’s sale being the first of the new financial year.
At the last sale of the 2024/2025 financial year a fortnight ago, a new local record was set when $311/head was paid for lambs.
Total sales for that sale alone were $1,035,932, for an average price of $152 across 7300 head presented.
This week’s sale was down on numbers, which Mr White said was due to the season and possibly weather conditions.
It was the smallest sheep sale yarding for some time, dropping away to just 1900 lambs and 700 sheep.
Total sales were $44,601, but for a higher average than last fortnight of $195.66.
Mr White does not expect the numbers to stay low for long, however, with suckers expected to be presented within the next six weeks, and then reaching “full swing” in September.
The post-sale report from Meat & Livestock Australia market reporter Jenny Kelly indicated quality was “generally only reasonable to plain”.
Despite the restrictions on numbers and quality, there was still a good field of buyers and price trends were dearer.
The better quality heavy and trade lambs sold above an estimated 1050c to more than 1100c/kg at times.
A run of long-woolled lambs with some weight and condition underneath sold from $265 to a top of $349/head in a strong outcome.
A few pens of handy heavy trade lambs sold from $248 to $280/head.
Medium trade lambs made from $190 to $230/head on very mixed quality.
It was a scrappy collection of lighter lambs, with the better types sold in reasonable numbers from $88 to $155/head across mixed breeds.
There were not a lot of sheep to quote, but results were firm to dearer - particularly across the lighter conditioned ewes.
Merino ewes sold to $220, and a few big crossbreds got up to $223/head.
Top sales:
Lambs - JM & JA Bradford, $349 and $348; Athel Park, $338; JM Eastman, $325.
Sheep - JE Leech, $220; JM & JA Bradford, $220.
~ Details supplied by Meat & Livestock Australia market reporter Jenny Kelly and Deniliquin Saleyards operator Greg White, on behalf of the Deniliquin Associated Agents.