‘State-of-the-art’ sheep sale

“We normally sell our lambs at Cootamundra and cattle at Wagga Wagga, but with this magnificent facility we are fortunate to be so close,” Mr White said.

“Conditions couldn’t be better for the stock.”

Their top pen of White Suffolk-cross lambs made $137.

“We held them back for this sale and think the price was an excellent result for the tail of last year’s lambs,” he said.

The National Livestock Reporting Service reported that agents penned a total of 12,000 lambs and 4200 mutton for the opening SELX sheep and lamb prime sale, with quality quoted fair to good and only a handful of new season lambs offered. The majority of old season lambs lacked finish.

Sales included 164 Merino lambs sold by Glen and Mandy Butt, “Mandalen”, Young, to top at $101 and average $90, while George and Libby Elliott, Binalong, sold 206 Merino ewes to average $83. 

Elders, Goulburn agent, Oliver Mason said the yards are very user friendly, being undercover and also offering stock to best advantage.

”By all reports, agents, buyers and vendors are happy with the selling complex,” he said.

“The yards are terrific to draft and pen stock in, and the stock present really well.”

SELX manager, Rod Bourlet, said he was happy with how the facility handled the stock and how his staff carried out operational processes.

“The facility is fully operational now, however, we will make a few tweaks before the next sale to ensure everything is seamless for our agents, vendors and buyers,” he said.

Landmark Yass manager, Sam Hunter, said the design of the SELX sheep yards allowed efficient drafting of the stock. 

“The selling pens are an appropriate size to display the lambs and sheep with long laneways,” he said.