WHILE returns for crossbred lambs fell $15 at Ouyen, Vic, on Thursday last week, fierce competition for Merino lambs helped lift prices to near-record levels.
A total of 10,893 head - comprising 9250 lambs and 1643 mutton - were offered at the Ouyen Livestock Exchange.
After setting a saleyard record of $352 a fortnight ago, prices for export crossbred lambs retreated to $228 to $323 or $8.50 a kilogram to $9.20/kg.
Trade crossbred lambs made $180-$256 or $8.80-$9.80/kg, while store lambs returned $70-$190 or $9-$12/kg.
Daalkolyn, Underbool, Vic, topped the market with 59 export crossbred lambs at $323, while D Beelitz, Parrakie, was only a dollar behind with 61 at $322.
R&G Schutz, Karoonda, sold 175 at $319 and a further 131 at $303, while G&L Bate, Mildura, Vic, had 52 at $311.
Other vendors to break the $300 barrier included Lalirra Farms, Swan Reach, with 149 at $310, JP Browns, Lascelles, Vic, with 85 at $310, and MG Lynch, Meringur, Vic, with 141 at $306. MG Lynch sold a further 132 at $295, while R Bald, Karoonda, sold 50 at $290, EM McLean, Patchewollock, Vic, sold 20 at $280, Downdale Pastoral, Speed, Vic, sold 45 at $277.
Heavy Merino lambs topped at $300, making $7.80-$9.15/kg, while lighter types made $162-$220 or $7.50-$9.50/kg.
AK Schulz, Karoonda, achieved the top price for 118 lambs. Other vendors to achieve strong returns included J Hahnel Noms, Timberoo, Vic, with 64 at $260, M Heinicke, Pinnaroo, with 87 at $255, MG Lynch with 76 at $250, and DL&JF Dutschke, Karoonda, with 104 at $247.
Mutton rose $5 to $220-$287 or $7/kg for heavies, while light mutton was $160-$190 or $6.60-$7.40/kg.
T & J Gibson, Cowangie, Vic, sold 40 at $287, P&P Wisneske, Underbool, received $250 for 31.
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