The numbers were back 9100 from the previous week which was attributed to the fact that some locations were too wet to access with livestock trucks.

Both lamb and mutton showed the biggest decrease in terms of numbers. 

Lamb quality was fair with good numbers of well finished lambs available.

There was a handy offering of heavy and extra heavyweight lambs yarded along with a good penning of trade weights.

The usual buyers were present and competing in a dearer market.

Light lambs sold from $112 to $124/head.

Trade weights were $10/head dearer and more in places.

Prices ranged from $125 to $165/head.

Heavy and extra heavyweight lambs were well supplied and also lifted $10/head and more in places.

Heavy lambs sold from $154 to $186 and extra heavy weights received from $170 to $234/head.

Carcase prices averaged from 637c to 672c/kg cwt. Merino lambs sold from $128 to $184/head.

Mutton numbers fell though quality showed an improvement.

There was a better run of heavy sheep offered and prices continue to be strong.

Merino ewes sold from $82 to $186/head.

Crossbreds ranged from $84 to $165/head.

Merino wethers received from $106 to $160/head.

SHEEP INDUSTRY PROJECTIONS: The 2016 Sheep Industry Projections Update estimates the national flock at 750,000 head. Lamb production is now forecast to decline 3 per cent year-on-year in 2016, to 488,400 tonnes cwt. Despite anticipated tighter sheep and lamb availability through the winter months, prices may be tested by the strengthening A$ and if there are prolonged hot and dry conditions.

Australian lamb exports in 2016 are forecast to be fairly steady with the past two years, at 235,000 tonnes swt, before gradually growing with production to 280,000 tonnes swt by 2020.