This week, another big leap of more than 10c/kg put trade lambs 87c/kg ahead of this time last year, at 44c/kg dressed weight.

The National Livestock Reporting Service (NLRS) says the number of lambs bought by feeders since January has increased by 48pc compared with the previous year.

NLRS says the strong prices for finished trade and heavy lambs, combined with lower grain prices, has also encouraged some proucers to purchae lambs and then supplementary feed them.

On the export market, a tight global demand-supply balance has ensured that most of the benefit of the lower $A in recent weeks (until this week) has been returned to Australia.

This week, MLA lamb prices overall consolidated last week’s gains, to be 25-35pc higher than those of a year ago.

Similarly, strong Middle East and Asia demand has helped to lift the mutton sheep indicator a further 13¢/kg cwt.

It's now 20pc higher than that of a year earlier.

Lamb throughput at MLA’s NLRS reported saleyards during March lifted 49pc year-on-year, to 975,591 head.

A drier and hotter season combined with higher prices due to increased competition between buyers encouraged more lambs onto the market.

NSW saleyards during March recorded a 46pc increase in lamb supply year-on-year, to 478,292 head.

Lamb throughput in Victoria during the month lifted 46pc year-on-year, as higher numbers in most centres more than offset lower yardings at smaller saleyards.

WA lamb supply doubled during March, to 76,890 head, with Katanning and Midland increasing 141pc and 132pc, respectively. This jump was primarily due to favourable physical market prices and further moves to cropping.

SA lamb yarding lifted 36pc year-on-year. Mount Gambier lamb numbers doubled.