Repeat buyers with confidence in both the future of the lamb market and the genetic potential of the progeny of first cross ewes bred on the southern tablelands were prominent at the annual sale at Yass when 15,000 ewes were listed for sale.
Delta Young agent Cameron Rosser thought the quality at the top end outstanding for the season and the prices reflected that, with a top price of $334 paid for the pen of 124 April/May 2017 drop October-shorn ewes, by Retallack BL rams out of Riverina-bred ewes offered by Brent Medway, Gunning.
That top price was a lift on the $282 top price he received last year and he also sold 231 ewes for $330.
“Considering the season the quality at the top end was outstanding and sold to a premium,” Mr Rosser said.
“The majority of the yarding sold to prices which where equal to last year, and it just shows restockers have a lot of confidence knowing they will get a good return for their prime lambs.”
Mr Rosser said the industry is in a good position with lamb and mutton prices holding through the consistent demand for red meat.
Sale summary: 12,226 one to one and half year ewes sold to $334 to average $224: 2335 ewe lambs sold to $212 for average $140 and 611 older ewes peaked at $140 to average $106.
The sale featured large lines from many breeders with Alan McCormack, Breadalbane receiving $314 for 400 September 2017 drop, October-shorn ewes by Kobbadah BL rams from Walwa-blood Merino ewes when purchased by repeat buyers: while Ashley Gilbert, Kingsvale Pastoral Co, Binda, received $274 for his line of 400 August/September 2017 drop and October-shorn ewes, and Yarraman Pastoral Co, sold 163 June 2017 drop, September-shorn, by Bedsley’s Border Leicester from Snowy Plains ewes for $266.
Other good sales included $266 for 137 July/August drop and September-shorn ewes by Wattle Farm-bred rams out of Langdene-blood Merino ewes on account P.P and T.J Robinson, while M.D Croker, sold 100 August 2017 drop, October-blood ewes out of Roseville Park-blood ewes by Gaimara BL rams for $285 and D and L Crawford, sold 97 August/September 2017 drop, September-shorn ewes by very good quality BL rams out of large framed western-bred ewes for $250.
Heulen Pastoral Co, Willow Glen, Frogmore sold 131 June 2017 drop, August-shorn ewes out of Pooginook-blood Merino ewes and by Inverbrackie BL rams for $220, while A.D and D.T McGaw received $240 for their pen of 225 August/September 2017 drop, October-shorn ewes. Buyers attended from Wagga Wagga, Cootamundra, Harden, Goulburn, Crookwell, Bathurst and Forest Reefs. All agents associated with SELX, Yass were active during the sale.
