FIRST-cross Border Leicester Merino ewe lambs sold to $220 at Edenhope last week.
Like with many of the southern crossbred ewe sales reacting to this year's buoyant lamb market, the Edenhope sale set record prices for 1500 maiden ewes and the 7200 ewe lambs.
A top of $242 was paid for the unjoined 1 1/2-year-olds.
The Edenhope sale, which traditionally precedes the Naracoorte sale, is an opportunity for buyers to avoid a bidding war on the generally bigger-framed Naracoorte sheep.
Last year, Edenhope's maiden ewes averaged $171, compared with $210 last week.
The ewe lambs also recorded a strong average of $178, compared with last year's $116.
Most of the ewe lambs suitable for joining in the next three months sold upwards of $165.
Lighter lambs in need of another growing year sold for more than $130.
David Hanel, of Rodwells Edenhope, said the prices reflected the scramble to find replacement ewes.
He said the higher ewe-lamb prices would made it difficult for vendors who preferred to buy ewe lambs at these sales to grow out for next year's sales.
"I guess this year 90 per cent of the ewe lambs bought here today would be retained by the buyers," Mr Hanel said.
Tomorrow, Rodwells Edenhope will sell the wether proportion of this year's drop of first-cross lambs.
