Not all export buyers operated fully or competed in the sheep run, while major domestic processors were selective wanting lambs with finish and shorter skins.

There were limited store orders in place, however some processors made purchases throughout the sale looking to back ground lambs on grass. Grain fed trade lambs attracted premium prices as major domestic buyers chose to bid on high yielding pens.

Trade lambs prices firmed as the market progressed, however prices generally eased $3/head.

The better finished 22-24kg sold at $145 to $182/head averaging 639c to 674/kg cwt. Merino trade lambs sold to erratic trends at times to sell at $115 to $155/head.

Lighter weight lambs suitable to restock or feed sold to a reduced field of buyers.

The best price recorded for back ground lambs was $127, with other sale ranging from $89 to $110/head. Despite good numbers of supplementary fed heavy and extra heavy lambs the yarding lacked the weight of previous weeks.

Heavy lambs on occasion fluctuated hitting a low of $165 before gaining momentum to average 659c/kg cwt.

Extra heavy lambs sold to stronger demand, with one processor dominating the market on lambs weighing above 30kg/cwt.

Generally prices were unchanged to $5 dearer selling from $168 to $229.20/head to average 633c/kg cwt. It was a mixed quality offering of mutton, with all weights and grades represented.

Heavy Merino ewes in full wool attracted strong bidding to reach a top of $150, however this was not representative of the market trend, with most sale $10 to $20/head cheaper.

Heavy cross bred ewes sold $24/head cheaper to average 332c/kg cwt. Trade sheep sold to weaker demand at $65 to $116/head to average 350c 399c/kg cwt.

Plain light weight ewes scanned in lamb were keenly sought by restockers selling from $50 to $106/head.