The psychological $300 barrier for first-cross ewes was crossed three times during the opening southern first cross ewe sale at Temora last Friday, with values ranging from $200 to $314.
It is a common practice for auctioneers to call the first pen as often the cheapest, but at Temora the first pen offered proved to be the dearest of the entire sale.
Offered by G.K. L.M and D.J Golder, Temora, the 196 15 to 16 month ewes, July-shorn and by Kegra Super Borders out of Goolgumbla-blood Merino ewes sold for $314.
The very next pen, 204 14- to 15-month-old ewes and August-shorn offered by Barry and Lynne Cox, Golden Valley, Beckom sold for $300.
By Mt Beckom Border Leicester rams out of Belswick-blood Merino ewes, they were bought by Matt Bergmeier, Calthorpe, Brocklesby.
Also reaching $300 a head were the 200 August-shorn, 17- to 18-month-old ewes, by Bauer Border Leicester rams from station-bred Merino ewes bought at the Hay sale offered by K.F and P.M O’Dwyer, Oaklahoma, Ariah Park.
Next in line were R.N and R.J Harper who sold 202 July/August 2017 drop and August-shorn by Cadell Border Leicester stud rams out of Poll Boonoke-and Cottage Park-bred Merino ewes for $296; while A and C Cumming, Easedale, Coolamon also received $296 for their pen of 200 16-17 month-old ewes.
By quality Gleneith Super borders out of big plain bodied WA-bred and Riverina-bred Merino ewes, they were evaluated at weighing 71.7kg and were August-shorn.
Selling for $292 were the 180 15- to 16-month-old ewes weighing 69.5kg, and July-shorn sired by Kegra Super Border Leicester rams out of Goolgumbla-blood Merino ewes offered by G.K. L.M and D.J Golder, Temora: along with the 74 March/April 2017 drop weighing 66.4kg and August-shorn by top end Bauer Border Leicester sires out of Merino ewes sourced annually at the Hay Breeders Sale offered by K.F and P.M O'Dwyer, Oaklahoma, Ariah Park.
One sale at $290 were the 95 15- to 16-month-old ewes weighing 64.7kg, and July-shorn sired by Kegra Super Border Leicester rams out of Goolgumbla-blood Merino ewes offered by G.K. L.M and D.J Golder, Temora.
Coming in at $286 was the pen of 215 14- to 15-month ewes, by Cadell Border Leicester rams sold by Ken Haddrill and Company.
Successful buyers attended from Old Junee, Albury, Gundagai, Grong Grong, Cowra, Young, Marrar, Crookwell, Barmedman and Woodstock.
The auction was conducted by Wagga Wagga-based livestock agents RLA, Elders and Landmark and was interfaced with AuctionsPlus.
