There were a total of 11,500 head penned, which is up more than 1400 on last sale.
It was a very smart line-up of about 5000 young lambs, with most presenting as medium to heavy tradeweights in prime fresh condition.
All the major domestic processors were represented, and competition was keen to keep prices firm to a few dollars dearer than a fortnight ago.
The old season lambs were very mixed for quality and skin presentation and buyers picked through the offering.
Old lambs that ticked the boxes for fat cover, shape and short skins were firm to dearer, while secondary penlots and lighter lambs were cheaper than a fortnight ago.
Young lambs topped at $225 with the majority of sales in a tight price range of $190 to $215/head for crossbreds weighing from 22-26kg carcase weight (cwt).
On a carcase basis, the majority of these lambs were estimated at 800c to 850c/kg cwt.
Buyers were only allowing $3 for a skin value.
Medium young lambs from 20-22kg cwt sold from $161 to $188/head, at an estimated 780c/kg cwt.
The few runs of lighter young lambs under 20kg cwt sold to the paddock at $132 to $146/head, with local and southern restocking orders active.
There was a wide price spread evident for old season lambs, depending on quality and the number in a pen.
Heavy old lambs sold to $228, with most of the lead pens above 24kg cwt from $190 to $218/head.
Demand for lighter weight old season lambs, including Merinos, tended to be selective and dull.
Sheep were dearer on a carcase cost basis.
Heavy ewes $160 to a top of $184/head. Light and medium sheep $112 to $144/head.
Top sales:
New season lambs — Granada Ag, $225; IR Landale, $281; Holden Pastoral, $213.
Old lambs — D & M Walton, $228; K Gardiner, $219.20; T Holschier, $211.60.
Hoggets — PC Crossley, $183; Rutledge Pty Ltd, $180; K Gardiner, $176.
Sheep — K Gardiner, $190; John Lamb Pastoral, $184; CW Ellis, $182.
~ Details supplied by Meat Livestock Australia market reporter Jenny Kelly and Elders Deniliquin, on behalf of the Deniliquin Associated Agents.
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