All eastern lamb indicators fell at the end of last week and in this week's early trading began to recover.
Restocking lambs tumbled the most, losing 10 cents a kilogram on Monday down 44c/kg on the previous week.
It still sits at the highest premium over this time last year at 749c/kg.
The trade lamb indicator was at 719c/kg on Monday, dropping 13c/kg on the previous week while heavy lambs lost 22/kg to finish on 709c/kg.
The National Livestock Reporting Service (NLRS) quoted quality as plainer in the north while southern lambs were either fair or outstanding.
At Wagga Wagga, NSW, last week, the notable drop in quality and the lack of weight pushed prices $7-$20 a head cheaper.
Heavy lambs bore the brunt of the cheaper trend, with buyers very selective and rarely participating.
Once onto the dryer lambs prices fluctuated and some pens were discounted severely.
The main run of heavy lambs made from $189-$228 to average 687c/kg.
Price results for trade lambs weakened $7 and part of the weaker result was less competition from major processors.
The best heavy trade lambs, 22-24kg, averaged 697c/kg carcase weight.
The lamb market continued its bumpy ride in opening markets on Monday, with prices trending down in NSW, while Victoria made modest gains due to the limited supplies.
It comes as producers hold lambs back due to the falling rates of recent weeks.
Lamb supply was back by 10,310 to 23,000 at Bendigo on Monday.
Quality was average to plain, according to the NLRS.
The bulk of the new season lambs from the area have now been sold.
Fewer lambs were above 26kg and some lots required more finish.
The best price recorded on Monday was $220 for heavy export lambs estimated to weigh 30kg cwt.
In the trade run there were no sales above $183 due to plainer lambs that included more first-cross types that didn't have the weight and finish of recent weeks.
Despite the mixed supply, buyers bid strongly lifting rates $5 and more in places to average 744c/kg cwt.
The mutton market was on a roll due in part to the limited supplies.
The bright spot was heavy grades with price quotes from the NLRS showing dearer trends of $20-$36.
Merino wethers topped at $240 with bidding dominated by a northern processor.
The Ballarat lamb market stepped up, offering an outstanding yarding of 32,411 lambs and 14,812 sheep.
Vendors were well rewarded with prices surging ahead $5-$15.
Heavy lambs were a feature of the sale making to $268 to average 715c/kg cwt.
Trade lambs sold at $136-$186.50, av 738c/kg cwt.
Mutton sold to dearer trends, av 550-660c/kg cwt.
