VENDORS are all smiles at the Guyra Saleyards as prices have hit a record high.
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On Wednesday wethers made more than $200 a head.
Guyra Associated Agents president Todd Clark said the high prices were the result of supply and demand.
“It’s all amounting to records we’ve never seen before,” he said.
“The way the big clean outs have been over the last couple of years – there’s just no sheep about.
“That’s what’s driving the job, the lack of numbers.”
Mr Clark said the lack of sheep was down to poor seasonal conditions over the past six to eight years.
“We had some pretty nasty droughts, lowered wool prices and things like that have been one of the biggest drivers behind the mutton job,” he said.
Store XB lambs sold for $125, Heavy XB lambs for $220, Merino ewes for $150 and Merino Hoggets $179.
“At the moment in the kill sets the better conditions, fresher types that are going to hang up on the hook in quality and weight – they’re certainly seeing a premium,” Mr Clark said.
“It’s the same in the mutton job, anything with good cover is certainly seeing an excellent premium.”
On Wednesday the sale yards sold 4400 head in total, including crossbred killable lambs, store merino lambs, crossbred store lambs and mutton for export.
Mr Clark said he expects the week before Easter to be a strong market also due to a week of no sales.
It’s all amounting to records we’ve never seen before.
- Todd Clark