The usual field of buyers attended and the smaller yarding did have an impact on the market. 

Slaughter lambs were mostly $5 to $12 dearer, while the mutton market rebounded by $10 to $16/head to regain most of the previous week's losses.

The best quality pens of heavy domestic lambs, suiting supermarket orders, recorded the most price improvement in the lamb sale. 

The market reached a top of $171 for heavy export lambs estimated to have a carcass weight of about 33kg, and it was one of about 10 pens of extra heavy lambs to make more than $160/head.

Prices for light lambs did trend dearer overall; however, results did vary according to breed quality and finish. 

There was only limited restocker support from Swan Hill and the local Bendigo area, with most sales to the paddock being plainer and smaller lambs at $56 to $86/head. 

The general run of trade and lightweight lambs for slaughter sold from $90 to $116/head. 

Several agents offered light and trade Merino lambs which sold from $56 to a top of $122/head to average around 480¢/kg cwt.

Competition for the lead pens of heavy trade lambs was strong from the major domestic buyers, with prices between $125 and $138/head to averaging 530¢ to 540¢/kg cwt. Select pens of these lambs reached a top of 550¢/kg cwt at times. 

Extra heavy export lambs sold from $160 to a top of $171, with the next draft down making from $145 to $158/head. 

On a carcass basis the heaviest lambs sold for an estimated 500¢, improving to 520¢/kg cwt for 26-28kg carcass weight types.

The mutton yarding more than halved, and prices were significantly dearer than a week ago. 

Heavy crossbred ewes sold to a top of $115, while a run of Merino sheep with high value skins sold to a top of $108/head. It was estimated the general run of mutton returned 330¢ to 340¢/kg cwt.

Producers please note: All lambs and sheep presented for sale must be curfewed prior to transport in line with industry standards.  Lambs and sheep should be crutched and well presented for sale. Current 2013 NVDs should be filled in and completed correctly. If you require any assistance with the new NVD, please contact your agent. NVDs must accompany all stock.

AVERAGES

LAMBS

PF Schlitz (89) Quambatook  $171.00 

RV & DF Mullins (64) Eddington  $170.00 

WR & HG Ladson (43) Mincha West   $168.00 

E Meade (125) Wycheproof   $167.00 

F & M Schmidt (30) Pyramid Hill   $163.00 

D & M McKinnon (25) Marong   $161.00 

WH Bacon (42) Echuca West   $160.00 

Pitson Family Trust (30) Bagshot  $158.00 

C Osbourne (51) Boort   $156.60 

GJ & GM Bremner P/L(35) Quambatook $152.00 

Bajarra Past (75) Lalbert  $150.00 

J,E,T & D Whykes (108) Charlton   $149.00 

JB & RA Penny (20) Salisbury West  $148.60 

Cornellia Creek (69) Koyuga   $146.20 

Mourilum Past (109) Moorilum   $141.00 

R & M Hobbs (102) Charlton  $140.00 

Oakview Water P/L (38) Wakool   $140.00 

Ellamatta (59) Quambatook   $139.20 

B & K Rogers (72) Berriwillock   $138.00 

L & M Rumbold (49) Wycheproof  $137.60 

DC & L Lougoon (44) Leichardt   $136.00 

JJ & GT Kennedy (33) Barnadown  $135.00 

R & C Dickinson (112) Strathallan  $133.00 

M Connors (70) Moama  $132.00 

J Wild (34) Kerang   $131.20 

DJR & B Pascoe (61) Raywood   $128.00 

M Gardener (24) Axedale  $121.00 

Romsey Vale (77) Murrindindi   $115.00

MERINO  LAMBS

FR & JD Ramsay (71) Newbridge  $126.00 

Buloke Downs (127) Corack   $122.60 

D & T Grigg (137) Powlett Plains   $100.00

CROSSBRED EWES

S & R Snelson (81) Koyuga   $115.00 

C & H Wilson (24) Goornong   $110.00 

S Beattie (39) East Trentham   $98.00 

MERINO EWES

Borley & McDonald (53) Woodstock   $106.60 

D & T Grigg (141) Powlett Plains   $105.00 

Kirriwina (85) Durham Ox $95.60 

S Mann (61) Mincha   $91.20 

D & F Lanyon (155) Yeungroon   $86.00 

Keeyunga Past (148) Glenaroua  $83.00

Order of sale for week ending April 4: Elders 3 & 5; FP Nevins & Co 1 & 3; Ellis Nuttall & Co 2 & 6; Rodwells 4 & 1; Landmark 5 & 2; McKean & McGregor 6 & 4.