LIGHT lambs took a turn at the top this week, surging to record highs.
The surge was underpinned by restocker activity and restricted supplies due to flooding rain across much of southern Australia.
But while light lambs (12-18kg) reached a new level of 511c/kg carcass weight, prices eased across all heavy categories, according to Meat and Livestock Australia.
Trade and export lambs averaged 543c/kg cwt and 529c/kg cwt respectively and the Eastern States Trade Lamb indicator closed last week at 551c/kg; down marginally.
Many consignments booked to be sold at Bendigo on Monday were withdrawn as much of the drawing area was affected by flooding, but supply remained steady at 15,000 lambs and 6000 sheep.
There were 11,000 young lambs including plainer types and heavy drafts, the National Livestock Reporting Service noted.
Although demand was weaker over nearly all weights and grades, light young lambs to turn out sold at rates firm to dearer, according to the NLRS.
The 2-score lambs sold from $78 to $109.60 and light trade 2 and 3-score sold to processors from $90.60 to $127 to be up to $3 easier.
Heavier 3 and 4-score trade lambs sold from $108 to $138 to be $5-$8 cheaper with the heavy 4-scores topping at $152.20 to be $3-$6 cheaper.
The smaller penning of old lambs contained several quality heavier drafts which were unchanged to easier as 3 and 4-score trade and heavyweights made between $102 and $166.60.
Sheep prices were $3-$5 cheaper for ewes but firm for wethers. Even with storms threatening at Shepparton on Friday and the likelihood of smaller yardings in the coming weeks, prices eased. Young lambs were $8-$13 cheaper, according to the NLRS.
A smaller yarding at Dubbo, also on Monday, saw the market gain $2-$3 for trade-weight new season lambs.
