THE first sheep and lamb sale of the New Year at Horsham didn't disappoint, passing back an extra $2-$5/head.

This was despite reduced competition on the larger yarding of 5500 lambs and 2600 sheep, Paul Christopher from the Horsham Regional Livestock Exchange said.

"Not all companies were represented or purchased stock and numbers were up from pre-Christmas sales,'' Mr Christopher said.

Rates improved $2 to $5 for all categories of lambs.

Light lambs sold from $54 to $82, trade lambs from $85 to $99.60, heavy lambs from $100 to $115 and extra heavy lambs from $116 to $127.

Merino lambs reached a top of $86 and two-tooths sold from $58 to $81.60.

Rates were firm to $5 dearer for sheep due in part to an improvement in quality, Mr Christopher said.

Light ewes made from $48 to $60, trade ewes from $65 to $74 and heavy ewes from $75 to $86.60.

Trade wethers sold from $72 to $79.20 and rams from $15 to $52.

There were no light or heavy wethers to quote on.