IT was a record Breaking day at the Inverell Regional Saleyards on Tuesday when heavy lamb prices reached their highest in more than 10 years.

Goulburn’s Southern Meats paid the highest heavy lamb price of the day at $109 an animal. The 41 eleven-month-old lambs were bred by Alwyn and Lyn Prentice, Delungra, and sold by Elders, Inverell.

Other high prices on the day were given to lambs from Scott and Therese Cole of Delungra, at $102 an animal, and Neil and Silvia Uebergang of North Star at $100.

Inverell Stock Agents president Spencer White said a gradual price increase for heavy lambs had been experienced at the yards during the past six weeks, for the first time in more than a decade.

“The record before the recent period was $72 and that was at least 10 years ago,” Spencer said.

The performances by local stock and station agents on Tuesday for heavy lambs were:

Alex Johnston and Co - sold 877 lambs at an average of $76 each

CL Squires and Co - 236 averaging $80

H Roy Miller - 178 averaging $72

Elders - 172 averaging $92

Baldwin McGregor - 71 averaging $89

John Mair and Co - 24 averaging $60

Lehman and Frame - 18 averaging $72

Wesfarmers Landmark Daley - 12 averaging $80

A shortage of sheep from southern Australia partnered with a great demand for heavy export lambs was thought to be the catalyst for the impressive prices seen lately at Inverell.

Buyer for Southern Meats Andrew Jackson said the keen American market was the main reason for good export prices.MR Jackson said since the lifting of embargoes and tariffs, America had demonstrated great demand for Australian sheep and, in particular, heavy export lambs.

Southern Meats had forward contracts with American buyers, who in some cases were paying $14 for one pound ( 454 g) of mutton.

Good quality heavy lamb meat was sought after due to its low fat percentage.

High-priced lambs, like those sold by Alwyn and Lyn Prentice, average a liveweight of about 22kg and can usually produce three cuts from the loin.

© 2001 Inverell Times

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