Numbers were moderately higher, with new season lambs showing a substantial lift in numbers for 23,750 penned.

New season lamb quality was outstanding, with good numbers of lambs weighing above 23kg cwt. Old lambs were in shorter supply and quality was quite mixed over all weights and grades.

A full turnout of domestic and export buyers were operating, along with stronger restocking competition with orders from Ballarat, Echuca and the local region.

New season trade lambs were well supplied and prices fluctuated throughout the sale, with prices varying considerably at times.

Light trade weight lamb prices were underpinned by stronger restocking competition and domestic buyers paid from $94 to $111/head.

Medium and heavy trade lambs were well supplied and prices were generally $6 to $7 cheaper, with the heavy trade lambs averaging 477c/kg cwt. Heavy and extra heavy young lambs attracted stronger competition as the market progressed, selling from $116 to $140, with the extra heavy lambs averaging 436c/kg cwt.

There was a very good selection of well bred second cross lambs suitable to turn out and restockers were eager for market share, paying from $80 to $96/head.

Old lamb quality was quite mixed and the majority of well finished medium and heavy old lambs sold from $75 to $123, with heavy trade lambs averaging 454c/kg cwt. Trade weight Merino lambs were well supplied and quality was mixed, with a large portion carrying very little skin value, while competition was stronger on the better finished drafts with a reasonable skin.

Merino lambs 20kg to 24kg ranged in price, selling from $72 to $110/head.

There was a mixed selection of heavy and extra heavy old lambs offered to a smaller group of buyers, with prices were up to $13/head lower.

Well finished extra heavy lambs made from $122 to $150/head, to average 433c/kg cwt.

Mutton numbers lifted and quality was mixed, with all weights and grades represented. Merino ewes suitable for the trade were well supplied and sold firm to $2/head cheaper, averaging 324c/kg cwt. Heavy sheep were in reasonable supply and sold $5 to $9/head cheaper, with only a few export companies purchasing heavy crossbred ewes.

Heavy ewe mutton sold from $74 to $105, while Merino wethers made from $81 to $97/head, to average 312c/kg cwt.