And with lamb prices about $1 a kilogram higher than last year, vendors enjoyed returns of up to an extra $20 a head with the 5168 Merino-Border Leicester lambs averaging $71.70.

In one of the highest top prices ever seen at the annual sale, Murray McKenzie, Bringalbert South took out top price honours at $102 for 178 April-May drops, selling to Tatiara Meat Company, Bordertown.

He also topped last week's Edenhope ewe lamb sale at $130.

Danny and Noelene West, Westwood, Patyah were among the volume vendors selling 1066 head out of large frame Riverina blood Merino ewes and sired by Willow Park Border Leicester rams for an $81.57 average.

Their top pen of 403 May-June 2008-drop wether lambs weighing an average of 55kg liveweight were knocked down for $94, also to TMC.

Around a similar weight WD, RG&NW Robinson, Edenhope, sold 298 May-June 2008 drops for $92, while their 374 seconds were knocked down at $68.

In a buying spree TMC put together just over 2000 head of the heavier lambs, while Melbourne's Australian Lamb Company was busy in the $65 to $75 bracket.

The remainder went to those looking to turn sheep out onto stubbles, with the Victorian Wimmera outbidding a couple of South East agents on many of these lines.

* Extract from a full report in Stock Journal, November 27 issue.