It was a bigger yarding with a total of 7479 of lambs and sheep on Tuesday at Deniliquin with most of the increase in the mutton section as scanned empty ewes start appearing.
Sheep were the highlight of the sale, posting price gains of $20 per head and more as estimated carcase rates moved above 400c/kg.
The lamb sale was also stronger, particularly for the lead pens which offered buyers better weight and finish in a mixed yarding.
The good trade to heavy lambs comfortably made over 800c/kg carcase weight.
The regular buying group were operating and seemed keener for numbers.
There wasn’t a lot of weight in the lamb run with no pens over 30kg carcase weight.
The best heavy crossbred trade lambs were $206 to a top of $220/head.
Dorper lambs sold to $188/head.
The middle run of trade lambs, 20-24kg carcase weight, were mostly $155 to $190/head.
The lead of the processing lambs trended at 800c to 850c/kg, while the plainer types moved up into the 760c to 800c range.
Light lambs suiting MK processing orders $120 to $152/head for the best lines.
There was a reasonable number of light Merino lambs penned which sold from $90 to $125/head.
Some heavier trade Merino lambs reached $181/head.
Competition for sheep was at much stronger levels, the majority of the yarding selling above $100/head.
There was several good drafts of Merino ewes in various wool lengths which sold from $114 to $160/head.
Heavy Dorper ewes made $160/head, while a limited selection of crossbred ewes reached $150/head.
The estimated range for most mutton was 400c to 480c/kg carcase weight.
Total sale from the day amounted to $993,172, with the average price $132.79.
Top sales:
Lambs - Michael Pisasale, $220; E.A.J & W McDonald, $218; P.C Park, $215.
Sheep - C.M Pastoral, $160; R Armitage, $160; Banyandah Pastoral Co, $160.
~ Details provided by Meat Livestock Australia market reporter Jenny Kelly, on behalf of the Denilquin Associated Agents.