Farmer confidence is low for lambs

These 142 store ram lambs from Holdsworth Paringahau, at Te Karaka, were the first pen of stores sold today, for $83, a good price on a depressed market.

There were 1148 sheep sold yesterday in the weekly sale at the Matawhero saleyards, mostly store, new season lambs.

Farmer confidence in the lamb market is low, as the lamb meat schedule price falls each week, mostly due to a weak Chinese economy and Australian oversupply.

Some local farmers might be selling because of a predicted drought, but the rain continues to fall and the grass keeps growing.

The average price for store lambs fell $9 this week to $63.

The best price of $83 was paid for a pen of 142 white face lambs from Holdsworth Paringahau, at Te Karaka.

A pen of 37, very small but healthy, mixed sex lambs sold for $22.

Prime, new season lambs fetched from $120 down to $102, while prime ewes sold from $90 down to $72.

Best prices:

Store ram lambs: Holdsworth Paringahau, 142, $83, 200, $79; Mangatoitoi Station, 40, $76.50, 106, $62, 48, $50; Kerry Ellmers, 15, $61.

Store ewe lambs: Mangatoitoi Station, 48, $60, 181, $53.50, 73, $47; Holdworth Paringahau, 91, $60.

Store mixed sex lambs: Haupapa Ltd, 25, $70, 20, $35; Mangatoitoi Station, 20, $31, 37, $22.