COMPETITION for new season lambs drove prices $5/head higher at Central Tablelands Livestock Exchange, Carcoar, prime lamb sale on Wednesday, as the sucker offering continues to grow.
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Nutrien Bathurst agent Paul Glynn said the injection of new sucker lambs into the market began much earlier this year due to a favourable season.
"The quality of stock is much the same as last year, but we are seeing it much earlier," Mr Glynn said.
"Last year, it was so much drier, producers had to hold on and feed their stock longer to get them to a good weight.
"This year there has been much better feed available in the paddocks."
In total 6233 were yarded with new season lambs making up the lion's share with 3820 head.
Westbrook Holding Pty Ltd sold the top run of suckers for $215 a head, while the average made $172/head.
"Most heavy suckers sold around $205 ahead and lighter suckers, weighing around 22 kilograms, made $180 a head," Mr Glynn said.
"There were many restocker suckers available, but those weighing around 18kg, made $145 to go back to the paddock."
An enthusiastic buyer's panel was joined by a new processor to push lamb prices up by $10/head.
P&D Keith earned $230/head for the top run of lambs, while the average made $173/head.
The good quality yarding was sourced from across the Tablelands, including Panuara, Carcoar, Rock Forest, Woodstock, Trunkey Creek.
The top run of ewes made $174/head, supplied by McIntosh Pastoral, and the average sold for $142/head.
Hoggets topped at $165/head, while the best run of wethers made $170/head.
The sale was conducted by Central Tablelands Livestock Agents Association.
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