Nearly 70,000 sheep and 1500 goats were offered on AuctionsPlus in the past week.

It was another record breaking week at the Edenhope saleyards, with the highest price ever, $174, paid for first cross wether lambs.

Well presented first cross wether lambs made good money at Edenhope yesterday, with the top price $174.

Prices for young ewes has cracked $400, but what is conspiring to send prices so high?

Edenhope held the national record for ewe prices for mere hours but it retains the highest price in Victoria, with prices to $388.

Total sheep numbers are expected to increase in New Zealand by 0.3 per cent to 27.39 million head.

Ewes prices peaked at a national record of $402 at Naracoorte today.

Lamb prices in the north were boosted by the prediction of rain, with buyer competition intensifying against a shortage of numbers at southern selling centres.

Prices for lambs are reflecting supply and seasonal conditions in different production areas, leading to mixed trends.