Lamb numbers improved and there were 580 new season lambs.

The quality was good with mainly trade and heavy weights penned which were ideal for the processing sector.

There was a very good run of Merino lambs off crop.

The market sold to a firm to dearer trend on light and trade lambs while the heavier lambs had little competition and eased.

New season medium and heavy trade weights sold from $195 to $215, with heavy lambs making from $204 to $226/head, averaging from 880c to 920c/kg cwt.

Old 2 score lambs were $7 dearer, selling from $138 to $164/head.

Medium and heavy trade weights sold from $161 to $203/head, averaging 870c/kg. Heavy lambs $176 to $234, while extra heavy lambs sold to $275/head.

Merino trade lambs made from $155 to $203, with the heavy weights selling to $208, improving from $15 to $20/head. Hoggets sold to $211/head.

Mutton numbers increased and the quality was good.

Prices were from $5 to $10/head dearer. Medium weight ewes sold from $109 to $156/head.

Heavy crossbred ewes sold to $205, while Merino ewes topped at $206/head, averaging from 580c to 620c/kg.

Thursday, August 15

Yarding: 42,270. Change: down 1730

Lambs: 33,310. Change: up 310.

Sheep: 8960. Change: down 2040.

Numbers offered were marginally higher this week.

Trade buying activity was significantly weaker for old lambs while the 7500 new season lambs also lost momentum, fuelled by weaker domestic competition.

Select pens of shorn old lambs weighing 22-24kg were keenly sought but at lower price levels than the previous sale.

Longer wool old trade lambs were discounted severely.

Heavy and extra heavy lamb numbers declined and competition was patchy throughout the sale causing a massive price variation for lambs weighting over 25kg.

There were mixed supplies of lighter weight lambs, with most selling to a smaller field of processors.

The trade lamb market continued its cheaper run, with old trade lambs easing $17 to $30/head.

The top price recorded for 22-24kg was $216/head with the bulk averaging from 760c to 820c/kg cwt.

New season trade lambs did attract a larger group of buyers however price levels were adjusted by $12 $15/head to average 866c/kg cwt.

Heavy new season lambs eased $12/head to average 877c/kg cwt.

Merino trade lambs sold to enthusiastic bidding for the correct types to average 780c/kg cwt.

Light lambs to the processors sold to weaker southern competition making from $113 to $146/head.

It was the usual field of export processors in attendance.

Generally heavy lambs weighing from 24-26kg decreased by $28, while extra heavy lambs were $32 cheaper, to average from 772c to 802c/kg cwt.

It was another magnificent yarding of mutton with very few plainer sheep in the offering.

Price gains have been recorded for all categories from lighter weights through to heavy sheep classes.

Heavy sheep regularly sold over $200/head to average from 584c to 617c/kg cwt.

Heavy wethers were in good numbers recording a top price of $227/head, to average 668c/kg cwt.

Trade and light sheep were limited, selling from $101 to $163/head, averaging 620c/kg cwt.