Heavy export lambs to 400c/kg

Extra heavy export lambs made to a top of $140 a head for a second week to maintain strong demand and a price regime of 380 to 400 cents a kilogram at the major saleyards this week.Prices for the week were viewed as unchanged to $2-$3 a head higher at Bendigo and equal to $2-$3 a head easier at Ballarat, with only the subjective opinion of quality standing between the difference in the quotations.The National Livestock Reporting Service said the 17,280 head yarding offered at Bendigo on Monday was of exceptional quality, particularly for this time of the year. A large percentage was grain or supplementary fed, including several lines of Merino lambs, the service reported.Graeme Miller, Elders, said a good body of support operated throughout the sale with a much keener field of restocker buyers beginning to participate since the autumn break against processor and feeder buyers.Heavy lambs at Bendigo made $96 to $128 topping at $136 while trade lambs fetched $72-$106 and light lambs $54 to $75.Mr Miller said that with good grazing conditions now prevailing in most areas north and west of Bendigo restockers were displaying keen interest, especially in lambs that could be guaranteed on age. Nonetheless better breed lines, he said, were still being hunted by exporters with feeder orders from $65-$75 a head. Generally speaking fewer light and unfinished were being presented now the season was under way.Gerard White, TB White and Sons, said much keener competition between the major supermarkets at Ballarat on Tuesday delivered prices for trade lambs between $105 and $112 a head, and was good to see. The market toppers, he said, were another draft from Bill Frazer Wardex Dean whose home-bred lambs over the past four weeks had fetched prices of $133, $145 and $140, twice.Mr White said his TB White and Sons line up was also of exceptional quality for this time of the year and included 20 pens comprising 1442 head that gained prices of $100 a head and higher.NLRS said heavy lambs at Ballarat made $92-$130, topping at $140 while trade lambs made $72-$105.60.Light lambs bought for processing or to turn-out made $50-$75.Meanwhile demand for sheep, continued to defy gravity, improving a further $3-$5 a head on recent much stronger rates, varying from 220- 270c/kg.