Reflecting this, the total yarding came close to 20,000 head, well back on last year's heavier 30,000 head yarding.

But with local, Gippsland and Western district restockers out in force, the throng of one-and-a-half-year-old Border Leicester-Merino ewes were pushed up to $162, with the older run reaching $138, as did shorn BLM ewe lambs, with the unshorn variety to $116.

Bernie Nevins, Elders, Ballarat, said that the strong result was closely linked with breeders’ fears of a firstcross shortage.

"I think people are realising the supply and numbers of one-and-a-half-year-old BLM ewes and ewe lambs looking into the future will be hard enough to find next year with sheep numbers so far back already," Mr Nevins said.

"I think there might have been a few blokes looking to increase numbers and naturally with the lamb price at the moment, it's an attractive time to buy."