It May of been a smaller yarding then past years, but the 3700 head were keenly sought after by local and outside buyers during the 72nd annual Dunedoo Sheep Breeders sale on Friday, January 24.
Among the 2530 Merino ewes was the pen of 129 Cassilis Park blood 2 1/2 year-old scanned 123 per cent in lamb to New Armatree blood Border Leicester rams, which sold for the Merino top money at $265 a head.
This was the third or fourth consecutive year Alison Kensit, Redbank Park, Dunedoo, has topped the sale with joined ewes which this year were bought by her neighbour, Gary Nott, Minemoorong, Dunedoo.
Two Oberon prime lamb producers who have made Dunedoo their base for replacement first-cross ewes kept up the bidding with Warren Osborne paying the $281 top money for the first pen of Wattle Grove partnership, Dunedoo, 138 June/July 2019 drop, December shorn.
Returning buyer of Wattle Grove ewes, Geoff Armstrong, Braeleny, Oberon, paid second top money of $250/head for Wattle Grove's second draft.
Armidale-based Kapunda Pastoral Company, bought three Merino ewe drafts totalling 484 head paying up to $126/head, and 15 first-cross ewes September/October'19 drop ewes at $90/head.
Second top Merino price at $215/head was paid by Frampton Farms, Dunedoo and Merriwa, for 480 Glendemar MPM blood 3 1/2 and 4 /12 year-olds October shorn from Gilmore Farms, Dunedoo.
The sale was conducted by Milling Stuart Pty Ltd, Dunedoo with auctioneering duties shared by Angus and Jamie Stuart.
Full report in The Land October 30 edition.