Of these, 32,913 were lambs, made up of lambs, suckers and hoggets.

Playing catch-up after last week’s lack of supply due to the transport industry strike, buyers literally threw their hands at auctioneers, shouting their bids at each pen, frantic to secure the tops

Breeders also took the opportunity of clearing their prime lambs with heavy export types selling up to $141 a head, while purebred Merino lambs of the same age made to $125.

Dubbo Stock and Station Agents Association president, Ross Plasto, says there was always going to be a catch-up after last week’s truckers strike when only 14,140 head were sold, predominantly lambs totalling 9265 head with the balance being grown sheep.

“Today’s large numbers is purely a build-up of supply due to last Monday’s disruption,” he says.

“As well, supply is very tight at present and there was a mixture of conditioning among the lambs.

“I’d reckon the good lambs got dearer towards the back of the sale.”

First and second cross lambs of heavy export weights topped the market at $141 ahead.

This price was paid twice, first when Milling Thomas and Company sold 117 Dorset second cross lambs for John Rope, “Pinegrove”, Nyngan to T and R Pastoral, Murray Bridge, South Australia.

Landmark followed with a pen of 48 on account B and G Jones, “Lone Wilga”, Albert, which also made $141 a head.