The yarding of 11,934 first-cross ewes at SELX Yass for the annual spring sale was well attended with prime lamb producers keen to fill their breeding requirements for the coming year.
Agents reported a 'very strong sale' which saw a top a top price of $356 paid for one and half year ewes, while $252 was the top price paid for ewe lambs.
Speaking after the sale, Jock Duncombe, director Duncombe and Co, Crookwell thought the very good prices received was both a reflection on the exceptional quality of the sheep and producers belief in the prime lamb future.
"Buyers have confidence in the lamb job despite the season and showed in today's market," he said.
"We all know how the demand for red meat is increasing and producers are doing the best to meet market expectations."
Mr Duncombe thought the presentation was excellent considering the current climatic conditions.
"They are a credit to the vendors, a very even yarding," he said.
In the one and half year pens, top price at $356 was paid for the pen of 236 May 2018 drop and October shorn offered by Brent Medway, Tolldale, Gunning.
Mr Medway sold a second pen of 141 ewes for $330.
Sired by Retallack Border Leicesters from Riverina-bred Merino ewes, they were purchased by Brian Frost, Hillden, Bannister.
Second top price at $352 was paid for 230 September 2018 drop ewes, October shorn and offered by the McCormack family, Walwa, Bannister.
Sired by Kobbadah BL rams and dropped by Walwa-blood Merino ewes they were bought by repeat buyer Jason Pond, Loloma Partnership, Forest Reefs.
It was the third time Mr Pond has bought the Walwa-bred offering.
Other good prices included $331 paid for 168 August/September 2018 drop and September shorn offered by A.D and D.F McGaw: Carrabungla Pastoral Co, Laggan who received $310 for their 252 September 2018 drop and October-shorn ewes while Yarraman Pastoral Co, Bigga sold June/July 2018 drop ewes, October-shorn from Snowy Plains-blood Merino ewes and sired by Bedsy BL rams for $302.
Further excellent prices included $275 for 164 August/September 2018 drop and July-shorn by Retallack BL rams on account Redbank North, Jugiong: Kingsvale Pastoral Co, Binda sold 200 August 2018 drop and October-shorn ewes for $285 and M Slater received $300 for his pen of 180 July/August 2018 drop and October-shorn ewes.
M.D Croker sold 170 August-shorn ewes for $320: V.M McCallum sold 135 September-shorn ewes for $302 and Matt and Bec Hewitt, Gunning received $302 for their pen of 180 October-shorn ewes.
Ewe lambs
A top price of $252 was paid for the ewe lambs with Greg Waters, manager for Angus and Louise Taylor, Gundary, Goulburn on hand to see the pen of 34 June 2019 drop, September-shorn and sired by Ryanah BL rams attract the attention they deserved.
Scott Kensit, Hollywood Pastoral Co, Narrawa received the sash for Best presented pen of ewe lambs sponsored by Bayer Animal Health.
His offering of 135 May/June 2019 drop, October-shorn ewe lambs sired by Normanhurst Super Borders and Bedsy BL rams out of Leachim-blood Merino ewes were bought for $220.
Wiregrass Pastoral Co, Boorowa sold 193 May/June drop, October shorn ewes by Normanhurst Super Borders for $238.
Strong local interest competed with Wagga Wagga, Bathurst, Cootamundra and Blayney interests.
SELX Yass agents conducted the sale.