It was made up of crossbred and Merino lambs off grain and crop, plus about 1,500 new season young lambs.
There was some very good quality in all categories, and the bigger offering did entice more buyer activity including a major supermarket which purchased the bulk of the young lambs.
However, price results were significantly lower than a fortnight ago as prices realigned to recent cheaper trends.
Some buying orders that were present remained side-lined by COVID-19 closures at Victorian abattoirs.
The first feature lines of young lambs presented in very fresh condition. Most were estimated between 22kg and 26kg carcase weight (cwt), and sold in a tight range of $168 to $180/head.
The heavier young lambs averaged around 720c/kg cwt, with higher rates for ideally weighed domestic lots from 20kg to 22kg cwt.
There was plenty of weight in some of the old season crossbred lambs, but prices were unable to break the $200/head barrier due to limited export competition. The top price was $198/head.
Most heavy lambs, 26kg to 30kg, made from $170 to $185/head.
Not far behind in dollar terms were the neater trade lambs at $160 to $175/head.
The bulk of the lambs for processing tracked between 600c and 680c, with modest premiums of over 700c/kg cwt for the best domestic pens.
There was a good selection of Merino lambs and bidding was selective and weaker. Most Merino sales made from $148 to $165, with just a few heavier pens higher to a top of $185/head.
The sheep sale included some bigger lines of Merino ewes and prices were steady on recent auction results. Heavy Merino ewes made from $158 to $182/head.
The highest mutton price of $194/head was for some big meat breed ewes.
Top prices:
Suckers – G&E Barker, $180; East Tolans, $180; G&E Barker, $177.
Lambs – John Lamb Pastoral, $194; S McGurrielle, $193; J&P Pocklington, $192.
Hoggetts – K&T Butcher, $160; H&J Robinson, $160.
Sheep – Brewarrana Holdings, $189; Askrane Pty Ltd, $189; John Lamb Pastoral, $182.
Rams – Australian Food & Agriculture, $186; Australian Food & Agriculture, $170; Banyandah Pastoral, $150.20.
~ Details provided by Meat and Livestock Australia and Elders Rural Services Deniliquin, on behalf of the Deniliquin Associated Agents.
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