There was 31,142 Merino sheep yarded last Friday for the annual spring sale at Hay including 13,000 2019-drop ewes and 7000 2020-drop wethers.
The sheep presented in excellent condition, as was expected following a wonderful winter season on the Riverine plains.
Breaking down the sale results 2019-drop Merinos sold from $240 to $354; 2018-drop ewes sold from $254 to $324; 2017-drop ewes raanged from $260 to $316; 2016-drop ewes sold for $230.
For the pens of 2015-drop Merino ewes most sold from $240 to $250, while the 2014-drop ewes sold from $186 to $198.
The 2020-drop ewe lambs sold for $188 and 2020-drop wether lambs sold from $121 to $155.
Top price for the sale at $354 was paid for the pen of 200 Alma- and Bluebush-blood Merino ewes, May/June 2019 drop, July-shorn sold by SP and PM McGufficke from Oxley.
Excellent sales of young ewes included $346 for 407 Woodpark Poll-blood, April/May 2019-drop and August-shorn weighing 65.2kg sold by Budgewah Pastoral Company, Hay.
Another top result was $340 for 237 Alma-blood, April/May 2019 drop, sold by Graeme Morphett, Booligal, and $340 for 300 Poll Merino ewes, May/June 2019-drop, August-shorn, Curragh-blood and sold by WF and PC Ryan, Oxley.
Older ewes sold for $186 when TJ and DH Huntly, Mossgiel, sold 680 April/May 2014 drop, August-shorn and Goolgumbla-blood.
Minarto Pty Ltd, Oxley, sold 355 May/June 2020, Alma-blood ewe lambs for $188.
Wether lambs sold for $155 a head when Graeme Morphett, Booligal, offered 410 May/June 2020-drop, Alma-blood which tipped the scales at 51.5kg.
Andrew Low, Elders, Hay, reported a phenomenal sale which attracted processors and restockers from regions such as Narrandera, Barellan, Forbes, and Yarrawonga and Bendigo in Victoria.
"The sale exceeded all expectations," Mr Low said.
"Coming out of a great season, the sheep presented were a beautiful article and sold to keen demand."
The sale was conducted by Hay-based agencies Nutrien Ag Solutions and Elders, and was interfaced with AuctionsPlus.