CASHED-up producers are expected to outlay big when it comes to buying sheep at spring store sales.

The sales begin in the Riverina on Monday.

High trade-in prices for mutton and a lamb market that delivered premiums to many are expected to make for spirited bidding.

Some producers have got in early, buying sheep before they hit the spring-selling circuit.

One agent said he had secured all but one line of sheep he wanted before the sales had even started.

Yet others, like Hay Merino Breeders president Graham Morphett, from Yamba at Booligal, have resisted the temptation to sell early, and have held their traditional numbers for the September fixture.

Elders Hay manager Bill Haygarth confirmed there had been "plenty of paddock sales".

"Demand has been very strong for buying from the paddock, and even for ewes straight off shears," he said.

"A lot of buyers have wanted to get in early on the bigger lines and these have already been sold."

Hay agents still expect to yard between 30,000-40,000 sheep at their sale on September 23.

Mr Haygarth declined to say how much sheep had sold for in the paddock, but said prices had been "very similar to last year".

"I would expect prices to be not far off last year's rates at the saleyards, and you could lock in last year's prices at least.

"In another three weeks, the sheep should look a picture."

Despite the paddock sale push, just as many sheep should be on offer in the yards this year according to Elders livestock representative Ron Rutledge.

He said last year's sales - with 15,000 at Hay, 10,000 at Hillston and 12,000 at Jerilderie - would be matched this year.

"There's no September sale in Jerilderie this year, because there simply weren't the numbers to have the sale this month," he said.

"But with about 30,000 at Hay and 10,000 at Hillston, the total numbers should be similar."

Rawlinson and Brown Hillston livestock manager Matthew Taylor said vendors hoped next week's sale would deliver results like those seen last year.

"Lambs are selling about where they were a year ago and the wool job is stronger, so young ewes should make just as much," Mr Taylor said.

"People have come to realise this is what you have to pay for young ewes, and that you need to pay about $200 to get quality sheep like we have."