With Victoria's north-west cropping and hay season again displaying signs of doubt, strong local buying delivered a better than expected demand for the 14,000 store sheep offered on Friday at Wycheproof.

Two-year-old, spring-shorn, Border Leicester Merino-cross ewes, with young lambs at foot, made $175 to $185, while rising 1.5-year-old unjoined BLM-cross ewes made $85-$120.

About 8000 mixed aged Merino ewes, not station mated, included the younger 1-2 year olds sell to $84, while the older 3-5.5 year olds fetched $30-$67.

The inquiry for Merino wethers remained consistent for recent prime and store demand, with a top price of $80.50 bid for a line of March-shorn two year olds, while one-year-old wethers made $37-$68.

Merino wether lambs mostly made $25 to $29, topping at $46.50, while crossbred fattening type lambs made $51 to $59.50, with a pen of BLM-cross ewe lambs sold at $67.

Elders Wycheproof branch manager Jim Coffey said all sheep "if you could feed 'em" were worth the money paid, especially Merino ewes that appeared good buying.

"It's not a wholesale panic on the cropping scene" Mr Coffey stated.

"It's mostly those crops that had been set for hay making that look in doubt and at this point some our locals have taken an early position to best use these stubbles."

* Extract from a full market report to appear in Stock & Land, October 2 edition.