PRICES varied all sections of Murray Bridge's woolly wether lamb sale on Monday but definitely held up stronger than expected, according to stock agents.
Trade lambs made between $120-$162, store lambs danced between $90-$115 and light lambs dropped to $50-$80.
Local vendor HP&AE Graetz made the sale's $162 top price, with an offering of 66 wethers, which sold to Thomas Foods International.
Not far behind the top price was JP&C Hein, Murray Bridge, who made $161 for 133 lambs that went to competitive bidder Midfield Meat International.
CA Paech & K Molnar, Milendella, had 167 head sell for $160 to TFI, while IP,RW&DD Paech, Murray Bridge, made $145 for 169 to Midfield.
HT Hein, Murray Bridge, made $144 for 65 to Midfield, and Neina Hills, Murray Bridge, made $143 for 48 that went the same way.
Elders Murray Bridge agent Scott Eichler said the sale exceeded expectations.
"Considering the falling hooks prices, the sale had a fantastic result," he said.
"Top lambs presented extremely well and it was a credit to vendors."
Mr Eichler believed prices did drop off slightly, as lighter lambs certainly showed signs of a tough season.
GB&WR Schenke, Brinkley, made $137 for 62 that went to Midfield, while Mallee Slopes made $130 for 78 to MD Graetz & VA Stone, Lucindale.
SN&CA Paech, Tepko, offered a larger run of 154 trade wethers, which made $135 to active buyer Midfield.
AJ&J Barr, Karoonda, made $132 for 63 lambs to MD Graetz & VA Stone, and JF, PJ&RA Rodgers, Milang, sold 120 at $131 to Midfield.
Store lambs reached a top of $115 for 365 lambs from Mallee Slopes, which went the same way.
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The top end woolly wethers particularly made better returns than expected with stock agents believing it was lamb quality and a recent bought of sunshine that helped.
Mr Eichler said lambs had more weight than anticipated.
"On the top end of the sale, there was stronger competition than we thought," he said.
"The lambs were fresh and certainly weighed in heavier than we first expected.
"That lifted spirits and expectations ahead of the sale."
Mr Eichler said on-hooks prices had dropped, with processors already having enough to fill orders.
"This was reflected in the saleyard prices," he said.
Nutrien Murray Bridge stock agent Mark Thurston said there was a lot of value buying at the market on Monday.
"Wethers stood up well in the pens," he said.
"There was value in trade types and store lambs were quite strong."
