First cross ewes once again topped the online market, breaking the $300 mark for another week, with 58kg, 13-14 month old breeders from Frances, South Australia selling for $344.
This mob was scanned in lamb to White Suffolk and Poll Dorset rams.
Sheep and lamb numbers held firm this week with 362 fewer than last week, totaling 54,848 head offered online, where sheep sales saw a 76% clearance.
There were more new season suckers on offer, while aged breeding Merino ewes were red hot.
A line of 65kg, 2 to 3 year old first cross ewes, scanned in lamb to Tattykeel blood Poll Dorset rams, sold for $299. This mob was from Holbrook, New South Wales.
Young breeding Merino ewes were in demand this week, selling from $125 to $222. Highlights included 60kg, 28 to 29 month old East Bungaree blood hoggets, scanned in lamb to Pollville rams from Moree, NSW, selling for $195.
While 21 to 22 month old scanned in lamb Carrabungla blood hoggets from Bribbareen, NSW, sold for $222.
However, it was the older proven merino breeders which had buyers in a spin this week. Scanned in lamb breeders, aged 4 to 7 years sold from $134.50 to $219, to average $163. Standout lines included 5 year old Nerstane blood ewes, scanned in lamb to Milton Park White Suffolk rams from Stanthorpe, Queensland selling for $152 and a line of 6 year old ewes from Narromine, NSW, scanned in lamb to Glen Oak Border Leicester rams selling for $201.
Another standout lot offered this week were 69kg, 16 to 18 month old Casteel blood White Dorper hoggets. This mob from Forbes, NSW, were scanned in lamb to Burrawang blood Dorper rams, and sold for $225.
Scanned in lamb Dohne hoggets which were 22 to 23 months old from Goodooga, NSW, sold for $222.
Online, AuctionsPlus has seen restockers fighting to source breeding ewes with widespread interstate buying. 8 to 10 month old Merino ewe lambs are making the 990km journey from Brewarrina, NSW to Central Victoria. Similarly, 7 year old scanned in lamb merino ewes will head from Nyngan, NSW to Kaniva, Western VIC, a trip of 994km.
Merino ewe lambs aged 9 to 11 months will head from White Cliffs, NSW to Bendigo VIC, a 960km journey.
More new season 2017 suckers were online this week. February/March drop, Dorper wether lambs weighing 30kg from Augathella, QLD, sold for $108.50 or 362c/kg live.
March drop, Poll Dorset/Merino mixed sex lambs weighing 30kg from Temora, NSW, sold for $125.50 or 418c/kg.
2016 store lambs were topped this week by 49kg, second cross White Suffolk mixed sex lambs from Avoca, Tasmania, selling for $157.
-AuctionsPlus