With the beginning of Sheepvention at Hamilton over the previous three days, numbers were reduced by more than half to 1702 head comprising of 1021 lambs and 681 sheep of a very plain quality.

Not all the processors were in attendance due to the lack of numbers, however competition was very solid for all categories offered this week.

The market was predominantly unchanged to last week, however due to the quality of lambs offered, trade weight 3 and 4 score lambs sold from 830c to 960c/kg cwt. Light weight 12-18kg lambs 1 and 2 score sold from $88 to $150, while the medium weight 18-22kg 3 and 4 scores made from $130 to $169/head. The heavy weight 22-26kg lambs sold from $170 to $223, with the heavy 4 score 26-30kg making to $228/head. Hoggets sold from $86 to $132/head.

The sheep offering was also plainer and mixed this week, however the market was unchanged in all offerings of crossbred ewes and Merino mutton. Light 1 and 2 score sheep sold from $112 to $133, while the medium 2 and 3 scores made from $152 to $163/head.

The 4 scores topped at $186, with the shorn Merino 3 score wethers selling to $152/head. Crossbred mutton was unchanged averaging 610c, while Merinos sold to an average of 570c/kg cwt. Rams sold to $90/head.

J.M. ELLIS & CO PTY LTD

XB Lambs: J. & J. Wardlaw, Woorndoo, $129; J. & J. Wardlaw, Woorndoo, $120; J. & H. Beattie, Strathkellar, $115; Strathkellar Pastoral, Strathkellar, $112;

XB Hoggets: J. & J. Wardlaw, Woorndoo, $134; J. & J. Wardlaw, Woorndoo, $112;

XB Ewes: North Gums P/Ship, Woodhouse, $186; C. & L. Wardlaw, Woorndoo, $176; J. & J. Wardlaw, Woorndoo, $175; North Gums Partnership, Woodhouse, $154; J. & J. Wardlaw, Woorndoo, $142; C. & L. Wardlaw, Woorndoo, $137;

Merino Ewes: C. & L. Wardlaw, Woorndoo, $152;

Merino Wethers: I & B Uebergang, Tarrington, $152; I & B Uebergang, Tarrington, $130;

Dorset Rams: I. & B. Uebergang, Tarrington, $80:

L.M.B. LIVESTOCK

XB Lambs: M, M & P Linke, Tarrington, $160; P & L O'Connell, Wando Vale, $157; Glen Elva P/L, Vic Valley, $150; P & P Cameron, Dunkeld, $138; P & L O'Connell, Wando Vale, $132

XB Ewes: A & R Heath, Kanagulk, $178; S & H McKenry, Warrnambool, $153; A & R Heath, Kanagulk, $140

KEITH P LANYON P/L

Lambs: F Bouy, Hamilton, $147

Ewes: G Walkenhorst, Hamilton, $179; D Ralston, Hensley Park, $162

Rams: F Bouy, Hamilton, $75

LANDMARK

XB Lambs: MT & VL O'Brien, Casterton, $158. MT & VL O'Brien, Casterton, $128. S Vanderaa, Bolwarra, $128.

XB Ewes: S Vanderaa, Bolwarra, $144. S Vanderaa, Bolwarra, $100.

KERR & CO LIVESTOCK PTY LTD

Lambs: A & B Bourke, Bessiebelle $189; Moyne Falls, Macarthur $187; Barry Hay, Byaduk $187; A & B Bourke, Bessiebelle $185; Moyne Falls, Macarthur $162; Barry Hay, Byaduk $150

ELDERS RURAL SERVICES

Lambs: Beljon Past, German Creek, $228; Beljon Past, German Creek, $223; GJ & CL Dyson, Yambuk, $170; Beljon Past, German Creek, $169; GJ & CL Dyson, Yambuk, $158; T Steele, Hamilton, $98;

SOUTHERN GRAMPIANS LIVESTOCK

XB Lambs: N Lilley, Orford, $218; A Rendall, Orford, $186; N & G Block, Hawkesdale, $159; A Rendall, Orford, $148; H Goodman, Digby, $145; N & G Block, Hawkesdale, $143;

XB Ewes: Aringa North, Port Fairy, $186; G & D Cameron, Pigeon Ponds, $147; G & D Cameron, Pigeon Ponds, $128

Merino Ewes: Est JB Christie, Cavendish, $127; Aringa North, Port Fairy, $88

August 9.

There was a similar yarding of cattle presented at the Hamilton prime cattle market on Friday. Bulls reached a top of 265c/kg, while cows sold to a top of 252c/kg. Young steers reached a top of 276c/kg.

L.M.B. LIVESTOCK

Steers: Nield Contractors, Macarthur, hfd, 407kg, 238cents, $968; Nield Contractors, Macarthur, hfd, 268, 276, $738

Cows: Dunkeld Pastoral Co, Dunkeld, ang, 566, 252, $1426

ELDERS

Bulls: DJ Lyons, Vasey, hfd, 1000kg, 265cents, $2650

August 8. Yarding: 117. Change: down 78.

Agents penned just over half the numbers from last week's sale. The quality was predominantly plain, with a few pens of quality vealers offered. The bulk of the yarding was made up of cows. Not all the regular buyers were present and operated in a cheaper market in places. Quality improved on last week's offering of vealers, with processors paying up to 335c/kg. The majority of the calves sold from 270c to 235c/kg. There were a few yearlings suiting the domestic processors, with the better types making from 197c to 293c/kg. Finish in the grown steer and bullock run was limited, with the C3 types selling from 262c to 268c/kg. There was a picking in the grown heifers, making from 242c to 281c, with processors paying to 281c/lg for quality types with good cover. There was a mixture of cows offered selling in mixed market trends. Heavy 3 and 4 score beef cows made from 235c to 275c/kg. There were no dairy cows with cover offered today with the bulk being 1 score. The light D1 cows eased up to 12c, selling from 187c to 210c, and the very light portion declined 19c to sell from 140c to 165c/kg. Bulls sold to usual buying group with quality lacking across this category. The best bull sold to 242c/kg.

Significant losses occurred in all three selling centres as global trade issues eroded buyer confidence. Prices fell as the sales at each centre progressed with 28.6% of the 41,543 bales on offer passed in. The high pass-in rate prevented further falls. Losses were recorded across all Micron Price Guides (MPGs) with the greatest losses in the 19 m and broader range. The greatest falls occurred in the west with falls of up to 180 cents for the 20 and 21 m MPGs. The oddment sector bucked the trend, with all three Merino Carding Indicators gaining ground. . Weak buyer demand across all MPGs characterised this week's Sydney sales. Wednesday's selection of fine wool ( 18.5 m) eased by up to 40 cents as buyers discounted lots with low style and low strength. Demand weakened further on Thursday as broader ( 18.5 m) lots carrying 2% VM with low strength and high midbreaks lost up to 80 cents. Better style wools with favourable additional measurements were less affected. Merino skirtings were up to 100 cents lower for the week and crossbred lots eased by up to 60 cents. Oddment lots were mixed with locks and crutchings trending dearer and other types unchanged. The Northern Market Indicator fell 76 cents to 1,704 c/kg clean while the Northern Merino Carding Indicator gained 30 cents to 1,040 c/kg clean. The Sydney pass-in rate was 19.7%.

Despite strong buyer competition for the limited selection of best style wools in Melbourne on Wednesday, these lots lost 20 cents. Most of the selection had poorer style and fell by 25 to 60 cents. The market lost further ground on Thursday again due to high volumes of poorer style lots. Reductions occurred across all microns and descriptions of Merino skirtings on both sale days. Crossbred lots began the week easier, gained some ground as the sale progressed before weakening on Thursday. Oddment lots were stronger on both days. The Southern Market Indicator closed at 1,659 c/kg clean down 78 cents while the Southern Merino Carding Indicator gained 58 cents to 1,048 c/kg clean. The Melbourne pass-in rate was 25.6%.

Large losses, up to 90 cents, occurred in Fremantle as low buyer confidence impacted the market on Wednesday. Further losses of up to 100 cents occurred on Thursday. Wool producers were not prepared to sell at that level with more than 65% of fleece lots passed in. Merino skirtings fell by up to 130 cents for the week with those carrying 4% VM most affected. More than 30% of skirtings lots were passed in on Thursday. In contrast, oddment lots of all descriptions gained ground. The Western Regional Indicator dropped 134 cents to 1,760 cents/kg clean while the Western Merino Carding Indicator gained 41 cents to 1,056 c/kg clean. The Fremantle pass-in rate was 53.5%.

WVLX Mortlake Prime Cattle, Monday

1 Charles Stewart Nash McVilly

2 Rodwells

3 LMB Livestock

4 Landmark

5 Southern Grampians Livestock

6 Charles Stewart

7 JM Ellis

8 Elders Kerr & Co

9 HF Richardson

Camperdown Cattle, Tuesday

1 Charles Stewart's Nash McVilly

2 Elders

3 Charles Stewart & Co

4 Brian O'Halloran & Co

Warrnambool Cattle, Wednesday

Agent, Cattle, Sheep, Calves, Dairies

Brian O'Halloran 2, 1, 2, 2

J & J Kelly 4, 4, 3, 3

Landmark 3, 3, 1, 4

SKB Rodwells 1, 2, 4, 1

Hamilton Sheep & Lambs, Wednesday

1 Kerr & Co

2 Elders

3 Southern Grampians L/S

4 JM Ellis & Co

5 LMB Livestock

6 Keith P Lanyon P/L

7 Landmark

Hamilton Cattle, Friday

1 JM Ellis & Co

2 Elders

3 Southern Grampians L/S

4 Kerr & Co

5 Keith P Lanyon P/L

6 Landmark

7 LMB Livestock