Small winter yarding, but prices steady

The sale total was $424,238.20, for an average of $203.10 a head.

The regular buyers were still in attendance and kept prices at similar industry levels of 1050c to 1200c/kg carcase weight (cwt), across the general run of trade and heavy processing lambs.

The first line of new season lambs appeared and sold to $270/head.

The sheep market was significantly dearer than a fortnight ago.

Crossbred lambs off feeders sold to $326/head, and any of the better presented pens were estimated to be costing buyers above 1100c/kg cwt.

The lead pen of new season lambs estimated to weigh around 22kg cwt sold for $270, to be up around 1200c/kg cwt on minimal skin value.

Buyers are still unsure what the market for new season skins will be.

The next pen of young lambs sold for $220 on a weight of about 20kg cwt, while the third draft sold to a local restocking order at $194/head.

Agents are predicting a slower than usual build-up of young lambs at Deniliquin this August, with weights and finish impacted by the dry autumn.

Once onto the mixed run of old lambs, most sales were from $140 to $220/head.

Lighter and smaller lambs sold from $104 to $130/head.

Competition for mutton was very strong, especially for any of the bigger lines of Merino ewes that had frame and reasonable fat cover.

The better quality Merino mutton made from 700c to more than 800c/kg cwt at times, selling from $190 to $256/head.

The heavy meat ewes often only had a few head in each pen, which affected price despite the weight at $215 to $225/head.

Light ewes in plain fat score condition were more varied at $90 to $132/head.

Top sales:

Suckers - Sunscentre Pastoral Co, $270.

Old lambs - GF & SE PEarn, $326; Willis Ag, $322.60.

Sheep - LP & PJ Beer, $256.20; LDS & M Farrant, $255; Lauriston Pastoral Co, $226.

~ Details provided by Meat & Livestock Australia market reporter Jenny Kelly and Deniliquin Saleyards manager Greg White, on behalf of the Deniliquin Associated Agents.