A strong contingent of Victoria restockers underpinned values when 40,000 plus Merino sheep with some cross-bred lambs went under the hammer at the Hay spring sheep sale last Friday.
In an outstanding yarding noted for the condition of the sheep despite the very tough season, top price at $358 was achieved for the pen of 404 March/April 2018 drop, Alma-blood and August-shorn Merino ewes offered by the Rogers family, Yarto, Booligal. They got $310 for their second line of 480 ewes.
Other excellent prices for young Merino ewes included $295 for 383 Merino ewes, March/April drop, Alma-blood and July-shorn sold by Daisy Plains, Booligal: $290 for 447 May/June-drop, Goolgumbla-blood and August-shorn on account Mooloomoom, Moulamein and $285 for 361 May/June-drop, Curragh-blood and August-shorn sold by Curragh, Oxley.
Further sales of note included $282 for 397 Bluebush-blood, May/June-drop and July-shorn offered by Groongal, Carathool: $286 for 395 April/May-drop and August-shorn Bluebush-blood ewes on account Tholloloboy, Mossgiel and $272 for the Toms Lake, Booligal April/May-drop and August-shorn ewes.
Ewe lambs, unshorn April/May 2019 drop sold to $172 for the 337 Alma-blood offred by Mayfield, Oxley; while unshorn wether lambs sold to $160 for 871 Gunbar Station-blood offered by Tiarra, Trida.
Landmark Deniliquin auctioneer Geoff McCallum considered the prices received were a 'fantastic result' for an exceptional yarding.
But it must be said the yarding was an absolute credit to the district, to be able to produce these sheep on the back of 75-150mm shows the strength of the country and the breeding
- Geoff McCallum, Landmark, Deniliquin
"The better end of the young ewes were very strong, with most selling from $270 to $356, while the lighter ewes joinable in a couple of months sold from $220 to $250," he said.
Mr McCallum thought the heavier pens of older ewes which were predominately purchased by processors and the middle aged ewes sought by restockers sold strongly.
"The wether lambs sold really well to $160," he said.
"But it must be said the yarding was an absolute credit to the district, to be able to produce these sheep on the back of 75-150mm shows the strength of the country and the breeding."
Buyers from Swan Hill, Yarrawonga, Finley, Temora, Wagga Wagga, Forbes, Deniliquin, Narrandera, West Wyalong, Bendigo and Horsham were successful.
The sale was conducted by Hay-based agencies Elders and Landmark.