A MUCH larger than expected yarding did not put a dampener on prices at the third Murray Bridge sucker lamb sale for the season on Monday.
There were originally 3500 lambs advertised, but a yarding of 7500 came in, with farmers in the region looking to lighten the load in a tight season.
The top price of $197 was $40 up on the same sale last year.
Making the highest price was Inglebrae Holdings, Callington, who also topped the first two lamb sales of the season, as well as the Murray Bridge woolly wether auction.
Inglebrae’s line of 43 lambs was knocked down to JBS.
JBS also bought the second-highest price pen at $175, a line of 148 lambs from CA Paech & Molnar, Tepko.
Both making $172 were AWP MacAllan, Red Creek, with a line of seven, and Simmons Farms, Coomandook, with 53 sold to Australian Lamb Co.
ALC also bought 85 lambs from Clemara Trading, Marama, at $162.
RN&LA Bald & Son, Ettrick, offered good lines of lambs, including 291 at $155 sold to JBS, and 183 at $128, sold to Nampara.
Williams Trust, Geranium, sold 39 lambs at $165 to Thomas Foods International.
TFI also bought 78 from RAE Erickson, Tailem Bend, at $169.
Landmark agent Kev Keller said there was good support from processors and the South East.
“Lambs sold at similar rates to the sale held a fortnight ago,” he said.
“It’s surprising how good the lambs coming in are, for a season like this.”
Elders Murray Bridge livestock manager Justin Robertson said prices held up well but there were a lot more store stock offered, compared to the previous sale.
The final prime lamb sale for the season will be held at Murray Bridge on Monday, September 24, with the saleyard’s ewe and lamb auction on Monday October 8.