Despite a 22pc increase in yardings at MLA’s NLRS recorded sales, national average heavy lamb prices averaged almost $4/kg, reaching 406¢/kg cwt in NSW and 405¢/kg cwt in SA.

While new season lamb numbers are approaching a peak in

Victoria, there is an expectation of tighter national lamb supplies by the New Year.

Mutton sheep prices also rose, by 12¢ to 175¢/kg cwt, to the second highest price on record for this time of year (behind 189¢/kg cwt in 2003) and 17pc above the five-year average.

This was despite a 33pc lift in sheep yardings (to be 7pc above last year's) and reflects the impact of rains and feed availability on restocker demand, a strong Middle East market and low $A.