Numbers were marginally lower, and combined in the total were only 3000 new season lambs.
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Once again quality was quite mixed across old trade categories, with lambs mostly in secondary condition, which resulted in some pen lots being heavily discounted. Most export and most domestic buyers attended, however export demand was sporadic and not all companies operated fully.
There was some restocker competition from two states operating in the market over young lamb categories.
New season lambs sold to weaker demand with bidding from major domestic buyers erratic at times, as some pens lacked fat cover.
New season trade lambs generally sold up to $6 to $9/head cheaper. Lambs ranging from 22-24kg made $128 to $164/head averaging 625c/kg cwt. Old trade lamb prices were very erratic which again caused a big price variation over some classes.
Shorter skinned trade lambs attracted the strongest bidding, while full wool types lacking finish caused prices to drop significantly.
The better finished old lambs sold at $112 to $155/head. Heavy lambs sold to fluctuating price trends due to plainer quality. Heavy lambs sold $11/head cheaper to average 607c/kg cwt.
Extra heavy lambs were in shorter supply and the limited competition caused prices to fluctuate as the market tried to find a price level.
Extra heavy lambs fell $11, while lambs over 30kg dropped $28/head to average 583c/kg cwt. It was a mixed quality offering of sheep, with less numbers of heavy sheep.
Heavy cross bred ewes averaged 340c/kg cwt easing $9/head.
Heavy Merino ewes were keenly sought and prices were unchanged selling from $103 to $142.20/head.
Trade sheep eased $3 to $4/head to average 350c to 400c/kg cwt.