On August 23, the National Trade Lamb Indicator (NTLI) reached 951¢/kg for the first time ever.
The price held good for an entire week, only slightly down to 947¢/kg on August 31.
On August 30, the Bendigo Livestock Exchange experienced its own record-making price when 49 young lambs sold for $332/head.
The five-month-old lambs with an estimated carcase weight of 33kg (1006¢/kg) were unshorn and had been fed on grain for the past eight weeks.
They had come from C. and J. Pollock in Derby, near Bridgewater.
The Pollocks also had the second-highest-priced pen ($300/head).
Despite the record, other lambs at the Bendigo yards sold to mixed results, with the Meat & Livestock Australia market report saying many pens lacked consistent fat cover and finish.
The following day across the border in the Deniliquin saleyards, heavy trade lambs averaged 940¢ to 1000¢/kg.
The highest price paid was $294/head.
MLA market reporter Jenny Kelly said buyers grew selective over the lighter trade lambs and “flat spots” occurred on the plainer trade and lambs with less finish and conditioning.
On the same day the national indicators reported 857¢/kg for light lambs, 970¢/kg for heavy lambs, 838¢/kg for Merino lambs, 1026¢/kg for restocker lambs and 675¢/kg for mutton.
Elders Deniliquin livestock manager Jason Andrews said the price came down to supply and demand.
“There is short supply at the moment which is normal for the end of winter,” Mr Andrews said.
“What isn’t normal is how high the prices have grown because of the late winter short supply.”
The short supply of lambs is being caused by farmers keeping their ewe lambs as restockers.
Strong prices for dairy cattle, see page 7.
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