Skin quality declined significantly with increased supplies dry in the wool and showing seed infestation.

Not all domestic or export buyers were in attendance.

Trade lambs were well supplied and prices were slightly weaker over all categories. Light trade weight lambs were in reasonable supply and steady competition from restockers contributed to the better finished lambs averaging $98.20/head.

Medium and heavy trade lambs were in greater numbers, with increased supplies of shorn young lambs, and prices were generally $2 to $4/head cheaper as the heavy trade lambs averaged 472c/kg cwt.

Trade weight Merino lambs were in short supply and the better finished drafts suitable for the trade made from $70 to $110/head.

Heavy and extra heavy young lambs sold to strong northern competition, with one northern processor the market driver on the better finished pens.

Heavy and extra heavy lambs sold from $119 to $131/head, with the extra heavy lambs averaging 430c/kg cwt.

Lambs suitable to turnout were well supplied and sold to solid demand, with several buyers purchasing lambs weighing above 18kg cwt.

Store orders were in place from Queanbeyan, Forbes and the local area. The better quality second cross lambs to turnout sold from $80 to $97/head.

Mutton numbers were marginally higher and quality was mixed, with all weights and grades represented. Merino ewes suitable for the trade were in reasonable supply and sold to weaker demand, with prices varying depending on skin length and competition.

Trade sheep made from $50 to $82.20/head to average 242c/kg cwt. Heavy mutton were in good numbers and prices were $6 to $9/head cheaper. Heavy wethers carrying a full skin reached a top price of $105, while most sales ranged from $72 to $98/head.