Eugowra second-cross prime lamb producer, Ray Townsend, said he was “getting in early” to buy his replacement first-cross ewes at this month’s Narromine store sheep sale today, Wednesday August 16.
He purchased a total of 273 ewes in four drafts paying from $160 to the sale top of $200 for the 2500 first-cross ewe operation he runs with his father, Tony, and two sons, Lincoln and Sam at “Glenavy”.
The top pen of August/September 2016 drop, August shorn ewes were bred by Ray and Deanne Packham, “Sunny Ridge”, Narromine, and will be joined to Ridgehaven Poll Dorset rams.
The sale attracted 2200 sheep with the Merino ewe section topping at $185 a head for 430 Haddon Rig blood September/October 2016 drop 19 to 20 micron ewes, July shorn ewes bred by Kevin and Rose Marie Perry, “Rothsay”, Quambone, and purchased by Kevin’s brother, Brain and Janet Perry, “Sandhurst”, Quambone, for their crossbreeding flock.
Landmark Wilson Russ agent, Ashleigh McGilchrist, Narromine, said southern and central western breeders took the opportunity of securing their replacement needs early and where there was extra quality, prices rose accordingly.
