DROUGHT'S dry conditions have not deterred sheep breeders from presenting outstanding drafts at the 41st annual Forbes first-cross ewe sale last Thursday attracting 8513 ewes selling to a top of $360 a head.
Returning with 1020 first-cross ewes averaging $285 was the Jones family's The Troffs, Trundle, whose Glamis sired ewes out of Darriwell Merino flock ewes topped the sale with 202 March/April 2019 drops weighing 66.5 kilograms bought by Kevin Dwyer, Alona, Hobby's Yards.
McCarron Cullinane Chudleigh agent, Adam Chudleigh, said all agents and attendees agreed the drafts were an "absolute credit" to the vendors when ewes sold to new homes mainly in the Central Tablelands south-east of Forbes, Riverina and Victoria.
Best presented pen and Glamis trophy was awarded to Colin and Graham Quade and family's Roseneath flock, Trundle, for 234 first-cross ewes March/April'19 drop weighing an average 79.2kg and purchased for $282 by Riverina Livestock, Wagga Wagga.
Pens were judged by Ruth Klingner of Ridgehaven Poll Dorset stud, Cudal.
Second top-priced pen at $355 was paid by repeat buyers Geoff Edgerton, Redlands, Wombat for 134 Specton bred first-cross ewes of Haddon Rig blood and sired by Tenalba rams when offered for brothers David and Graham Taylor, Bendick Murrell.
The Green family, Ollieview, Parkes, sold 195 unmated Haddon Rig blood Merino ewes of May 2018 drop, August shorn selling at $180 each to Wayne Dunford, Lynton, Gunningbland.
