Prices remained strong for the yarding of almost 11,400, which was slightly less than the advertised 12,000 head, although Elders Deniliquin auctioneer Geoff McCallum said signs of buyer resistance emerged when it came to the plainer ewes.

A client of Rodwells Benalla paid the day's top price of $212 for 175 May-June 2008-drop November-shorn first-cross ewes, scanned in lamb to White Suffolk rams, from Colligen Creek, of Wakool.

Joined first-cross ewes made $148-$212, while 2009-drop ewes sold at $141-$156.

Joined Merino ewes made $80-$176, unjoined Merino ewes $89-$121 and Merino wethers fetched between $40 and $90.

Buyers came from Bathurst, Benalla, Bendigo, Cobram, Conargo, Deniliquin, Echuca, Finley, Henty, Jerilderie, Kerang, Kilmore, Shepparton, Swan Hill, Wagga Wagga and Yarrawonga.