Vendor John Fowler, “Kooroogong”, Harefield sold 112 second-cross Dorset lambs for $212 and couldn’t have been happier with the returns.

It was estimated his lambs weighed 33 kilograms dressed weight.

“I thought today would be good to sell,” he said.

Mr Fowler also welcomed the rain saying it was a “beautiful” follow up to the falls received in southern NSW earlier this month. 

Meanwhile, the standout market movers were the store lambs and Meat and Livestock Australia market reporter Leann Dax said prices for the lighter categories had averaged a whopping 630c/kg. 

HOW THEY SOLD: Vendors sold 49,100 sheep and lambs. Trade lambs sold on $10/head dearer to average 609c/kg cwt. Merino trade lambs sold to stronger demand, with sales strengthening as the market progressed making from $111 to $154/head.

Heavy Merino lambs topped at $164/head. Store lambs sold to strong demand with some sales lifting by as much as $20/head. Lambs to restock and feed-on made from $65 to $118/head.

Heavy and extra heavy lamb numbers increased and all categories were caught up in fierce competition, with hefty price spikes throughout the sale.

Heavy lambs sold from $155 to $176/head to average 613c/kg cwt. Increased interest and stronger bidding pushed extra heavy lamb prices $15 to $22/head higher.

Extra heavy lambs sold at $170 to $228/head It was a mixed quality offering of mutton, with all weights and grades represented. Demand was markedly stronger due to forth coming rain. Not all processors could match the higher prices, and stepped into lighter weight sheep. Heavy sheep sold from $20 to $30 dearer recording a top price of $170.20/head to average 455c/kg cwt. Heavy Merino wethers were in greater numbers selling from$127 to $167/head.

Trade sheep were keenly contested with buyer competition pushing prices up by $7 to $8/head. Trade sheep sold at $72 to $127/head.