Numbers hold up at Katanning

Agents yarded 27,000 sheep for the last Katanning sale of the year, comparable to the previous week.

Ewe mutton supplies were solid, crossbred lambs increased marginally and similar volumes of ewe hoggets and Merino lambs were available, while wether numbers continued to be relatively marginal.

The vast majority of crossbred lambs were shorn with fewer woolly drafts penned.

Prime trade and heavy weight lambs recorded an increase in processor competition, while the strong supplies of store lambs were again well supported by the trade, restockers, both local and eastern states, and by the feeder sector with strong market conditions recorded.

There was less weight and skin length recorded in the ewe mutton yarding.

Trade demand on better quality and heavier drafts increased with dearer rates realised, while light weight sales, although remaining strong, failed to maintain the highs and averages of the previous week’s sale.

Live export demand stayed constant on medium and heavy weight wethers with several orders operational.

Store wether quality continued to be generally plain and this was met by a more selective export feeder and restocker competition.

Live export demand for rams was again restricted to younger drafts.

Young lambs ranged from $20–$105.50 and older lambs made $35–$120.

Hoggets under 22kg averaged $72.58 and over 22kg averaged $86.15 with a high of $101.50

Ewes made $35–$97, with wethers over 24kg returning $90–$107.50 to average $102. 85.

Rams under 26kg averaged $58 with a high of $70.

Skins made up to $4 for young lambs, $6 for hoggets, $20 for ewes and $10 for wethers.