Lamb prices have started to climb after the burst of winter rain which fell across southern Australia late last week.
Lamb numbers more than halved at Wagga Wagga, NSW, with just 22,000 lambs and 3900 sheep offered, bucking the trend of recent weeks.
Heavy rain across parts of the supply region caused a disruption in lamb movements.
Some impressive prices were recorded with intense bidding once again breaking the $300 a head mark of the super big heavy export lambs.
The biggest lambs 30 kilograms and heavier posted a top of $310 to average 715 cents a kilogram carcase weight, lifting $10 a head.
The main run of heavy lambs weighing 26kg-30kg came under pressure from both domestic and export processors who contested for a market share.
The much stronger demand contributed to a price gain of $10.
The best ideally-weighted domestic lambs 22kg-24kg sold from $191 to $224 with several sales pushing through the 900c/kg cwt barrier
Prices generally lifted $10-$16 to average 840c/kg-880c/kg cwt.
The main run of store lambs 16kg-18kg surged ahead $23 with restockers from South Australia joining the fray.
Competition for lambs to feed on intensified with buyers paying from $180-$210.
Meanwhile heavy mutton sales were dominated by Fletchers International at Dubbo, NSW.
Other big export companies either watched on or were not prepared to chase the market.
Prices were mostly unchanged to a shade dearer to average 619c/kg cwt.
Meat & Livestock Australia's National Livestock Reporting Service suggested buyers were more active for trade sheep.
Prices lifted supported by the limited supplies.
The best trade sheep topped at $175 to average 647c/kg cwt.
At the close of selling, the national price average for heavy lambs jumped 20c/kg to 804c/kg and trade lambs eased 6c/kg to 802c/kg cwt.
Markets start late
The shorter trading week because of the Queen's Birthday holiday on Monday meant the Ballarat lamb sale was delayed, and started markets rolling on Tuesday.
The bulk of the offering was heavy and extra heavy lambs with trade and lighter weights in short supply.
The best trade lambs sold to $209 to average 809c/kg cwt.
The impact of the rain and short trading week was to cement price trends above 800c/kg cwt for any reasonable quality domestic lambs.
The notable trend for the increased supplies of heavy lambs was slightly cheaper, with not the weight in the big super-sized lambs of recent weeks.
Prices were firm to $4 easier averaging 710c/kg cwt.
- Leann Dax is an NLRS market reporter.