MERINOS are proving hot property this spring with prices peaking at $235 at the Hay sheep sale last Friday.
Vendors were cautiously optimistic ahead of the call of "sale-o" as there would be limited competition from Victoria due to some districts enduring a tougher season.
However, the lead in from Hillston sheep sale on the Monday prior where ewe prices hit $226 and wether lambs sold to $90 proved a positive market indicator.
Hay Merino Breeders Association president and vendor Graham Morphett, "Yamba", Booligal, said the sale was excellent given the western Riverina was "buggered" six months ago.
"To have 30,000 young Merino ewes all sell and sell consistently well was a great outcome for vendors," he said.
Mr Morphett said six months ago the season was so tough he doubted his lambs would survive let alone average $175.
"It was a typical Hay sheep sale - big numbers and solid averages," he said.
Jim Dickson, "Caringa", Denili-quin, topped the sale at $235 with a draft of 418, June/July 2014-drop Merino ewes, Caroonboon blood and May shorn, and were secured by Deniliquin agent Ian Geddes.
The McKindlay family, "Moo-loomoon", Moulamein, sold 415, June 2014-drop Merino ewes, Goolgumbla blood and July shorn, for $213 to Landmark Euroa, Victoria.
Peter Lawrence and Nicola Barrie, "Albemarle", Ivanhoe, sold 453, May/June 2014-drop Merino ewes, Charinga blood and August shorn, for $204 to Landmark Birchip, Vic.
Brett and Donna Schiller, "Tarwong", Hay, sold 540, May/June 2014-drop Merino ewes, Bluebush blood and August shorn, for $202 to Elders Narrandera.
The Rogers family, "Yarto", Booligal, sold 406, March/April 2014-drop Merino ewes, Alma blood and August shorn, for $200 to Elders Griffith.
Several other pens of 2014-drop Merino ewes sold in the $180 to $198 range; while their secondary sisters sold in the $130 to $156 range.
Smaller framed and later shorn 2014-drop Merino ewes sold from $106 to $126.
There were only four pens of 2013-drop Merino ewes offered which sold from $140 to $154.
The 2012-drop Merino ewes sold from $98 to $134 and 2011-drop Merino ewes sold from $88 to $150.
There were more than 8700 2010-drop Merino ewes sold from $82 to $120.
A total of 5000 2015-drop Merino wethers were penned, which processors competed for, paying from $65 to $102.
There was strong restocker support from first-cross produ-cers from Barellan, Griffth, Deniliquin and Narrandera, while buyers also travelled from Victorian regions of Euroa, Bendigo, Swan Hill, Boort and Stawell.
Hay sale exceeds expectations
THE pre-sale expectations of father and son duo Neil and Nick McKindlay, "Mooloomoon", Moulamein, were exceeded when their young Merino ewes sold for more than $200 at the annual Hay September sheep sale last Friday.
The McKindlays' top draft of 415 June 2014-drop Merino ewes was secured for $214 by Landmark Euroa.
The ewes were Goolgumbla blood and July shorn.
Nick McKindlay said he was happy with the price despite the ewes not being as big framed as usual due to a tough summer and start to autumn.
However, once they scored an autumn break they went on to have their best year in 15 years, he said.
"There were ewes at the sale I expected would make $200, but I didn't think ours would this year."
Neil McKindlay, who has sold at Hay sheep sale since the 1950s was pleased with the price, however, it was off the pace of the highest young ewe price record for Hay at $281 they set in 2012 and still hold.
They also sold another 670 same description ewes for $152 to Elders Bendigo, Victoria.
Neil and Nick McKindlay are pictured with the 415 Goolgumbla-blood Merino ewes they sold for $214.
