There were 8,981 head yarded, comprising a large portion of new season lambs, as well as old season lambs and sheep.
The quality of the young lambs was outstanding.
Many buyers rated them among the best they have seen so far this spring, in terms of consistent finish and freshness.
Total sales amounted to almost $2,599,105, for an average price of $289.40.
All the major processors attended and competition was very strong across all grades.
Buyers needed an estimated 1200c/kg carcase weight (cwt) to be competitive on the main pens of medium to heavy young trade lambs.
Restockers attended, but unlike most other years there was no significant lines of young store lambs available.
Four pens of heavy young lambs over 28kg cwt sold from $354 to a top of $375/head.
After this, there was a consistent run of heavy trade lambs from $305 to $340/head.
The best run of crossbreds in the 24-26kg cwt range averaged $319, at an estimated 1230c/kg cwt.
Medium trade lambs were between 22-24kg cwt, a lot of the first-cross types being bred out of Merino ewes, and sold from $266 to $308. The average was $290/head, and just shy of 1200c/kg cwt.
A few pens of lighter weight young lambs sold from $200 to $250/head.
Some very heavy old season lambs were yarded, although most were in small pen lots of less than 15 head. The better export types made $350 to a top of $410/head.
Many of the neater old season lambs, aside from the extra heavies, were calculated at more than 1100c/kg cwt.
The sheep offering had some very good Merino and crossbred ewes, and price estimates were consistently in the high 800c/kg range to 900c/kg cwt plus.
Crossbred ewes sold from $256 to $340/head, and lead pens of Merino ewes made from $315 to $340/head.
Top sales:
Suckers - Holden Pastoral, $375; M & J Dunmore, $359; L Whyborn, $354.
Old lambs - JA Jamieson, $410.20; GJ & GJ Brunt, $410.20; Shady Trees Farm, $380; Yarabam North, $380.
Sheep - Suncentre, $340; B & SC Pisasale, $339.
~ Details supplied by Meat Livestock Australia market reporter Jenny Kelly and Deniliquin Saleyards manager Greg White on behalf of the Deniliquin Associated Agents.
