Lamb numbers declined and the quality was good with a fair few lambs coming off hard feed.

There was a fall in the number of Merino lambs but there was a small increase in new season trade weights. All the usual buyers were operating in a cheaper market. New season lamb numbers reached 1185 head and quality improved. New season trade weights sold from $124 to $157/head, ranging from 615c to 645c/kg cwt. The 2 score lambs to processors sold from $72 to $102/head.

Medium and heavier trade weights were $10 cheaper selling from $112 to $146/head, ranging from 580c to 600c/kg. Heavy lambs eased to a similar degree and ranged from $130 to $164/head, while extra heavy lambs reached $170/head. Carcase prices ranged from 550c to 580c/kg. Merino lambs fell $15 and more, with the trade weights ranging from $105 to $119/head. Mutton numbers eased and the quality was not as good and there was less weight on the heavy crossbred ewes. Prices fell $16 to $17 on the light and medium weights and from $8 to $10/head on heavy sheep. Heavy Merino ewes reached $120 and the best of the crossbred ewes sold to $112/head. Carcase prices ranged from 340c to 380c/kg on average.

58 RH Weisner, Walla Walla 57.00

24 JR Hammon & Son, Wilby 153.00

121 CK & DE Dunn, Culcairn 151.00

120 RJ Lubke, Alma Park 170.00

50 B & A Weiss, Jindera 164.60

60 I Belubla, Tocumawal 164.20

51 Springfield, Culcairn 160.00

25 Avalands Pastoral, Walla Walla 160.00

39 JH McLaurin, Bidgeemia 119.00

119 Brindley & Wilson, Corowa 115.20

33 Namarang, Berrigan 114.00

53 D & K Mills, Corowa 120.20

36 Glenmore, Wymah 120.00

139 Kentucky P/L, Corowa 112.00

100 N Pooley, Barnawartha 111.60

16 T & M Barber, Walla Walla 106.00

48 Valeclare, Boorhaman 105.00

Thursday, August 3

Numbers lifted and quality across trade classes was fair to very good. Agents offered 6030 new season lambs which comprised of medium and heavy lines along with a few pens of lighter weights.

Prices tracked higher over all lamb categories. All buyers were present, however not all operated. Well finished shorn lambs and new season young lambs benefited from the strongest bidding from major processors.

New season lambs made from $124 to $164/head to average 640c/kg cwt. Supplementary fed and shorter skinned trade lambs attracted solid competition while longer wool lambs were overlooked by some processors.

Old trade lambs sold $5/head dearer. The better finished 22-24kg sold at $140 to $158/head. Merino trade lambs made from $105 to $148.60/head. Lighter weight lambs suitable to restock or sold at $78 to $104/head. Heavy lamb prices topped at $168/head to average 597c/kg cwt. Competition was steady for heavy lambs making form $160 to $208/head to average 530c to 550c/kg cwt. It was a good quality offering of sheep, with most weights and grades represented. Most buyers were operating. Heavy cross bred ewes sold $8 dearer to average 343c, while the Merino portion lifted $10/head to average 416c/kg cwt. 

Tuesday, August 8 and Wednesday, August 9: 1 Paull & Scollard, 2 Elders, 3 Schubert Boers, 4 Brian Unthank Rural, 5 Landmark, 6 Peter Ruaro Livestock/Rodwells, 7 Corcoran Parker.