FLOODWATERS resulted in limited buyer competition at the West Wyalong District Sheep Breeders Association September sale held last Wednesday, where two-year-ewes reached $265 a head.
The 11,000 head yarding was short of the 13,000 sheep booked in for the sale, which had to be put back a week due to wet weather.
About 1800 sheep couldn’t make to sale due to road closures, which also impacted the number of buyers present.
The 6000 one to 1½-year-old ewes sold from $140 to $252.
There were 3000 two- to five-year-old ewes, with only small numbers of lambs, Merino wethers and first-cross ewes.
Howard and Betty Mangelsdorf, “Chellington”, West Wyalong, sold 293 May/June 2014-drop Merino ewes which were Haddon Rig blood and February shorn for $265.
The Mangelsdorfs, who were inaugural members of the West Wyalong group which began in 1990, sold 560 ewes in a flock dispersal.
The sale was a fitting end to 66 years of breeding Haddon Rig sheep at “Chellington” after Mr Mangelsdorf’s father Norman bought Haddon Rig sheep in 1950.
“I’ve been winding down for a couple of years and these were the last of my younger breeders,” Mr Mangelsdorf said.
“My sons are still farming but I’m retiring from the sheep job. My youngest son Ben and his wife Nicole are keeping the line going at Young with the four-year-old ewes, but we’re just running a few cattle now.”
Paraway Pastoral sold 1800 May/June 2015-drop Pooginook-blood Merino ewes, shorn in August, with the lead making $252, bought by Pat Cronin, Trundle. The Paraway sheep averaged $191.50.
Ungarie producers Jim and Edna Daniher sold 187 March/April 2015-drop Merino ewes with Wanganella blood and shorn in July, for $200.
Youngara Partnership sold 256 May/June 2015-drop Merino ewes, Haddon Rig blood and shorn in August, for $200.
Ian and Jean Ridley sold 264 September/October 2012-drop Merino ewes, which were Allambie blood and July shorn, for $164.
Noel and Irene Ridley sold 258 September/October 2012-drop Merino ewes, also Allambie blood and shorn in August, for $160.
Buyers came from Wagga Wagga, Booroowa, Cootamundra, and Wellington, with a limited number of buyer from flood-affected Forbes. The sale also included 600 two- to five-year-old Blue Bush blood Merino ewes from the Lindner family in a flock dispersal.
The sale was conducted by West Wyalong agents Landmark, Elders and Quade Moncrieff Livestock and Property.