Lambs prices bounce $60 a head at Wagga Wagga

A total of 47,300 lambs were penned, including a line of 159 shorn second-cross lambs from N and K Bushells, Temora, who also happened to sell the $270 sale-toppers.

Meat and Livestock Australia market reporter Leann Dax said heavier lambs weighing 26 kilograms to 30kg made $180 to $218 abd shorn trade lambs weighing 24kg topped at $194 and averaged 680 cents a kilogram to 730c/kg.

Elders Wagga agent Henry Booth said the jump in price was not completely suprising with how the market was trending this week, however, it was a different story a couple of weeks ago.

"I don't think too many people would have predicted it would be where it is right now," he said.

Mr Booth said prices averaged 600c/kg to 700c/kg with numerous sales above 700c/kg.

"That was on anything that has got the right finish," he said.

"Prices are still lower for underdone stock - there's an urgency for well finished heavy weight stock."

However, Mr Booth said there was plenty of buying action.

"Everyone is having a go - the exporters are looking for a bit of weight and the trade buyers are also very strong," he said.

"Some of those lambs made in excess of $7.50."

Mr Booth said heavy lambs had slightly more weight than what they had been seeing recently and prices were $60 dearer than last week.

"In comparison to where we'd been prior to that it was significantly dearer," he said.

"There were numerous sales in excess of $50 dearer than if not last week, definitely before that."

The sheep sale continued later in the day with 27,500 sheep offered.