Yarding: 36,000
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Lamb numbers increased substantially and quality was quite good overall categories.
Trade lambs were in reasonable supply with good numbers of young shorn lambs supplementary fed. Well shaped trade lambs were keenly sought by several domestic processors, while plainer lambs lacking finish or presenting dry in the wool also sold to strong demand.
There was increased domestic competition, however not all major export or domestic buyers operated.
Bidding strengthened as the market progressed for well finished light and medium weight trade lambs, which was aided by stronger demand from select butcher orders and other domestic processors who have returned after a short absence.
The bulk of the heavy trade lambs averaged 543c/kg cwt, reaching a top price of $138/head.
Trade lambs 20-22kg were keenly sought by a most domestic processors with prices lifting $7 to average $124.60/head. Light weight plain lambs to the processors sold to spirited competition resulting in a dearer trend of $5 to $7/head.
Well-bred secondary lambs to turnout sold to fewer store orders to average $94, while lambs to feed on reached a top price of $107/head.
Heavy export lambs were well supplied with plenty of lambs weighing in excess 30kg cwt.
Competition was very strong from both northern and southern export buyers, who were all keen to acquire a market share. Heavy lambs made from $135 to $148, to average from 532c/kg cwt.
The bulk of the extra heavy lambs sold from $145 to $184/head, averaging 518c/kg cwt.
Mutton numbers declined and quality was very mixed, with all weights and grades represented. Merino ewes suitable for the trade were well supplied and sold $8/head dearer, selling from $72 to $116/head.
Heavy sheep were in short supply and all export buyers operated fully across this weight category. Heavy ewe mutton sold $6 to $7/head higher to average 359c to 383c/kg cwt. Heavy Merino wethers made from $112 to $121 with prices up to $20/head dearer, to average 402c/kg cwt.
Heavy crossbred ewes made from $105 to $128/head.