STRONG demand from processors pushed lamb prices to a national record of $200/head at Wagga Wagga in NSW today.
The run of 190 heavy export lambs was from John and Pene Fowler of Harefield, near Wagga Wagga.
The run averaged 80 kilograms liveweight for an estimated 38kg carcass weight at 10 to 11 months of age.
This returned the vendor 484c/kg carcass weight.
National Livestock Reporting Service market analyst Rob Millner said the lambs were carrying a $16 skin and were exceptionally heavy.
"Considering the weight and skin they were carrying, it's not expensive for the processor. It's actually pretty cheap per kilogram compared to the average weights,'' Mr Millner.
Goulburn-based processor, Southern Meats, was the buyer.
Mr Millner said it was unlikely there were many heavy, old season lambs left in the Wagga Wagga drawing area.
"I wouldn't imagine there would be too many older lambs carrying that weight left; prices being so attractive, many producers would have already sold the older ones to look after their younger brothers,'' he said.
Early new season's lambs were making it to market at domestic weights, he added.
Leann Dax, reporting from the saleyards for the NLRS, noted that the exceptional quality and tight supply of heavy and extra heavy lambs helped push prices up by as much as $6 to $13.
Heavy lambs averaged 545c/kg cwt while extra heavy lambs (over 30kg cwt) averaged 502c/kg cwt, according to Ms Dax.
Today's price betters the previous record of $193 set at Ballarat in June.
