The lamb market appears to be finishing the year on a solid note, with prices being driven by a shortage of well-finished lambs.
All lamb and mutton categories continued to edge higher.
Lamb prices in the north hit 780 cents a kilogram carcase weight last week, rewarding producers who had been able to hold and finish lambs.
The eastern states' heavy lamb indicator closed on Monday at 722c/kg cwt, up a resounding 22c/kg.
The trade lamb indicator climbed 8c/kg, to rest at 705c/kg cwt.
At Wagga Wagga, NSW, supply continues to fall short of demand.
There were only limited supplies of heavy lambs estimated to weigh from 26-36kg cwt, selling for about 670-700c/kg.
A pen of lambs estimated to weigh 34kg cwt recorded a record price of $260.
The push for trade lambs was unabated and prices jumped a few dollars, with some $8 a head higher for the neat shorn types.
Throughout the sale many pen lots hit 780c/kg cwt and above, topping at $188.
The upcoming Christmas holiday break is putting pressure on abattoirs to secure numbers before the disruption to markets.
Some domestic and export companies were paying $140-$168 for lambs to be backgrounded over the holiday break.
Boosting prices for lighter weight lambs was buoyant demand from restockers.
Light lambs to the paddock made $98-$142.
In opening sales in Victoria, summer rates tracked higher, with all lamb markets posting back-to-back price gains.
These are interesting times with prices showing strength in the face of bigger numbers at southern markets.
At Hamilton, the bright spots in the market were trade lambs.
Demand from processors was stronger, spurred on by a shortage of well-finished lambs at some selling centres.
Buyers pushed carcase weight rates to 800c/kg for heavy trade lambs 22-24kg, paying from $152-$188.
Medium trade sold at $134-$179, to average 714c/kg cwt.
Heavy lambs were firm to $3 dearer, however, there wasn't the weight in the lambs compared to the previous week.
The bulk of the heavy lamb offering made from $187-$223, averaging 719c/kg cwt.
Rising prices boosted numbers at Ballarat to 41,740 lambs and 11,435 sheep.
Producers were hoping last week's lift in rates had signalled stronger demand, however, a smaller field of buyers in attendance leading into the Christmas break meant prices slipped $5-$10.
Trade lambs sold $6-$7 lower, while shorn lamb rates tumbled up to $10.
NLRS data indicated the highlight of the sale were drafts of heavy lambs, where rates topped at $241.
Heavy lambs made $184-$233.
