Keen processor bidding on lines of aged ewes and wether lambs underpinned a strong demand for store sheep at Swan Hill on Thursday.
Offered at the conclusion of fortnightly prime sheep and lamb market at northwest centre, a strong following from the slaughter trade kept an alert eye on suitable lines fit for processing, paying prices from $115 to $141.50 for aged ewes, and to $116 for 17-drop wether lambs.
Grazier restockers, however, weary of the limited availability of younger breeding stock, in particular maintained prices in the $160 to $194 a head price range for ewes aged 1.5 to 4.5 years.
Restocker buyers central to the Mallee districts were most prominent on the day, however, support from the Riverina and central Victoria also provided extra depth to the competition.