Katanning numbers down again

Numbers dropped for the second week in a row as prices continue to strengthen at Katanning’s trade sale.

Agents yarded 19,716 head, down 1380 on the previous sale, with lambs accounting for a quarter of the yarding.

Lincon Gangell, from FarmWorks at Hyden, said lamb and ewe prices improved on the previous sale.

Mr Gangell added that export wethers and rams retained similar rates due to a lack of export demand.

He said in the FarmWorks catalogue, lambs were up $5 per head to $90–$102.

“Merino lambs were similar to last week at $35 to $65 and lightweight ewe lambs were making $40 to $50 per head.

“Mutton was up $1 to $2 per head to return $55 to $65 and $75 to $78 with a bit of skin.”

Wether prices were similar to the last two sales with heavy weight classes making up to $90.

Rams, also lacking in export demand, returned $60 to $70.

Market information from Meat and Livestock Australia’s National Livestock Reporting Service said young lambs ranged from $30.50 to $105 per head to average $77.83 or 412 cents estimated carcase weight c/kg, with skins making up to $6.

Hoggets ranged from $30 to $82.50 with an average of $69.24 per head to pay 342 ecw c/kg.

Ewes under 14kg averaged $34.50 with those 14 to 18kg ranged from $40 to $55.

Ewes 18 to 24kg ranged between $52 to $82 and ewes over 24kg made up to $85.

The average across all ewe weights was $65.44 per head.

Young wethers made $43–$86 and older wethers made $68 to $90 with an average of $79.

Rams averaged $54.68 and ranged from $30 to $76.50.