Meat and Livestock Australia’s national livestock reporting service says quality was excellent across heavy lamb categories while trade lambs were in reduced numbers supply.

Light lambs sold to strong bidding and quality varied with a fair percentage showing the effects of the dry seasonal conditions.

Processors competition increased and prices were a few dollars better. The week feedlot activity recommenced with a few buyers back in the market after a short absence.

The trade market sold to stronger competition with well-shaped shorter skinned lambs attracting all buyers. Trade lamb prices generally strengthened $2 to $5/head to average 646c/kg cwt. Restocker interest grew after last weeks rain with the well-bred lambs selling from $87 to $118/head.

Heavy and extra heavy lamb numbers increased and all buyers operated. Heavy lambs sold $3/head easier to average 613c/kg cwt. Extra heavy lambs were well supplied with most having been supplementary fed.

The bulk of the offering sold from $171 to $230/head. It was a very mixed quality offering of mutton with all weights and grades represented. All buyers were operating in a market which fluctuated. Heavy crossbreds sold up to $16/head dearer to average 480c/kg cwt. Heavy Merino ewe mutton lifted $9/head while trade Merino sheep were unchanged to a few dollars easier averaging 462c/kg cwt.