'Bridge lamb prices dip but quality remains high

Landmark Murray Bridge livestock agent Kevin Keller said lighter lambs sold well, with many fresh lambs on offer.

Elders Murray Bridge livestock manager Justin Robertson said it was one of the bigger yardings so far this year, but a lack of interstate processors meant prices were lower than expected.

"We were short a couple of buyers, Midfield and Herds were the two major ones missing," he said.

He said there was a strong gallery of restockers, with many lines knocked down to Elders Mount Pleasant, Thornby Premium Lamb and Nampara Pastoral Company.

"Just in that alone we had three active restockers, which operate on quite a large capacity, and they were able to buy some of the lighter trade lambs that Midfield and Herds normally are able to purchase," he said.

Frew Meats and Thomas Food International were also strong buying forces.

BS Finch, TP Ag, Geranium, achieved the sale's top price of $180, for 10 bought by TFI.

A Smith, Brinkley, sold 126 April-drop Merino-White Suffolk lambs for $175 to TFI, 128 at $157, also to TFI, and 101 at $135 to Nampara.

KD,ED,JC&MV Harvey, Woodchester, made $172 for 116 sold to Frew Meats, while Simmons Farms, Cookes Plains, sold 110 at the same price.

TFI bought 30 from BJ&CJ Borrett, Langhorne Creek for $170, as well as 74 from RM&TE Hein, Burdett, at the same price.

BL&CL Burbidge, Ettrick, sold 231 at $150 to TFI, 208 at $140, and 120 at $148, both to Nampara, as well as 45 at $136, bought by Thornby.

Raminian, Brinkley, sold 99 at $140 to Nampara, and 109 at $132 to Thornby, while SN&CA Paech, Tepko, sold 51 at $131 to Thornby, and 45 at $145 to Nampara.