Yarding: 12,760. Change: up 153.

Lambs: 9680. Change: up 1721.

Sheep: 3080. Change: down 1568.

Lamb numbers increased and quality was good, with a large percentage of the trade and heavy weights showing top condition. There were mainly trade and heavies penned, along with some lighter grades throughout. Merino lambs were generally well presented. All the buyers were operating and competition was strong amongst the trade categories, resulting in a dearer market.

Light lambs to the processors were firm to $7 dearer, averaging from $165 to $175, as stores averaged $149/head. Medium and heavy trade weight lambs were $6 to $9/head dearer, averaging from 960c to 1,005c/kg cwt. The 20-22kg trade weights sold from $199 to $240, while those weighing 23-24kg made from $230 to $248/head. Heavy and extra heavy weight lambs were firm to slightly dearer, averaging from 940c to 980c/kg cwt. A run of extra heavy weight lambs sold from $263 to $318, topping at $320.20/head. Heavy Merino lambs made from $244 to $260/head.

Mutton numbers eased and quality was mixed throughout, with prices for medium weight mutton holding steady and cheaper by $5 to $8/head for the heavy grades. Medium weight ewes sold from $111 to $160/head or from 580c to 630c/kg cwt. Heavy crossbred ewes made from $151 to $210/head or from 600c to 625c/kg cwt.

At Corowa on July 8, in the shorn lambs, Kismet Stud, Howlong, sold 43 at $320, HR & P Green, Talgarno, sold 48 at $318, Rockwood Rene, Culcairn, sold 67 at $312, Fowler Past Co, Violet Town, sold 20 at $300, MW & KM Lavis, Corowa, sold 81 at $291, TJ Hamdorf, Burrumbuttock, sold 112 at $285, M & S Robertson, Jerilderie, sold 60 at $281, Valeclare Farm, Corowa, sold 159 at $270, RJ & P Hall, Rand, sold 118 at $270, D Mathews, Walbundrie, sold 47 at $263, JN McIntosh, Yackandandah, sold 53 at $258, G & S Pearn, Deniliquin, sold 17 at $254, KL Kuhne, Rand, sold 65 at $251, and KR Bird, Balldale, sold 130 at $244. In the Merino lambs, Brookvale, Jerilderie, sold 49 at $260, NR McKenzie & Son, Corowa, sold 195 at $248, Valeclare Farm, Corowa, sold 112 at $244, Iona Plains, Yarrawonga, sold 128 at $240, Buerkner & Co, Tungamah, sold 100 at $226, and Hood & Lundie, Deniliquin, sold 94 at $211. In the crossbred ewes, GJ Bennett, Barooga, sold 18 at $209, K & G Vincent, Byawatha, sold 35 at $207, M & S Robertson, Jerilderie, sold 22 at $200, CRH & KM Doig, Boorhaman, sold 14 at $191, and S & G Murphy, Yundool, sold 29 at $181. In the Merino ewes, CM Wilson, Corowa, sold 16 at $192, RG McCall & Sons, Daysdale, sold 129 at $180, DJ & SL Godde, Culcairn, sold 17 at $172, Weebo Park, Bungowannah, sold 23 at $165, and NG Everitt & Co, Balldale, sold 33 at $160.

Thursday, July 11

Yarding: 39,300. Change: down 5030.

Numbers slipped marginally as producers continue to offload, attracted by high returns. The lamb market continued its impressive run helped along by the excellent quality yarding. Trade and heavy lamb categories were either grain assisted or finished off crop. There were reduced supplies of lighter weight lambs with most selling to processors. Restocker activity was minimal with buyers preferring to wait for the new season lambs. Competition for trade lambs ramped up, witha major domestic processors dominating over the 21kg to 24kg cwt stock. Processors paid premium prices for shorter skinned lambs which helped boost prices $4 to $8/head. Heavy trade 22kg to 24kg made up the bulk of the offering making $224 to $258/head to average 1015c/kg cwt. Merino trade lambs sold to a larger group of buyers and all categories sold to strong demand. Merino trade lambs sold from $168 to $249/head. Light lambs suitable for export made from $109 to $168/head.