There were 7400 lambs in the draw of 9850, with the majority being young unshorn lambs which ranged from stores through to heavy prime weights.
Extra processors and store buyers were in attendance.
The market was firm to dearer compared to recent markets, noting Deniliquin is a fortnightly.
All the lead young lambs were well finished and in fresh skins, and it would rate as one of the best line-ups of new season stock seen so far in the south this year.
Prices reached a top of $386/head and prices for the best pens with weight tracked either side of 1200c/kg carcase weight (cwt) in a very strong result.
The estimated rate for the general run of new season trade lambs under 24kg cwt was 1050c to 1150c/kg.
Small and lightweight store lambs were well supported by local and outside restockers, including some orders from southern Victoria.
There was a consistent run of sales at $310 to $360/head for most heavy young lambs, weighing an estimated 26kg cwt and better.
A few were higher to a market top of $386/head.
Heavy dorpers sold to $290/head.
Buyers advised they were now comfortable putting estimated values of $4 to $5 on most clean skins off new season lambs.
The middle run of trade lambs sold mostly from $250 to $300/head, and the main run of crossbred lambs in the 22-24kg cwt range averaged $268/head.
Lighter young lambs that still displayed some growth and frame size sold from $200 to $235/head, with restockers and feeders active on these lines.
The more genuine sized crossbred store lambs at 12-16kg cwt, for the paddock, sold from $139 to $178/head.
The smallest little lambs made from $64 to $140/head, but at high carcase cost estimates.
There were still some handy heavy shorn lambs in the mix at $270, to a top of $314/head.
While some neater lots held their value at 1100c/kg plus, most old lambs were trading either side of an estimated $10/kg cwt.
Feeders stepped in to some of the lighter old lambs and kept prices at strong levels at up to $220/head.
The sheep run had bigger lines of heavy crossbred ewes and shorn Merino ewes, as old breeders are sold post lamb weaning and shearing.
It was a strong mutton sale, although prices didn’t really move much out of recent ballpark rates of 650c to 770c/kg cwt.
In dollars, big crossbred ewes sold from $200 to $250/head, and lead Merino ewes from $200 to $235/head.
The general run of leaner trade and light sheep sold mostly $150 to $200/head.
The lightest ewes were down to $114/head.
Top sales:
Suckers - JW & PG Pocklington, $386; Holden Pastoral, $375 and $360.
Sheep - H Hicks, $250.
Hoggets - A Ritchie, $260.
Rams - A Ritchie, $272.
~ Details provided by Meat & Livestock Australia market reporter Jenny Kelly and Deniliquin Saleyards manager Greg White, on behalf of the Deniliquin Associated Agents.
8°C