Young and proven Merino breeders average $156

Merino-flockThe top-priced Merino hoggets on AuctionsPlus were a line of Poll Bundaleer blood ewes from Pleasant Hills, NSW and averaged 52 kg.
Young and proven Merino breeders averaged $156, and ranged from $70 to $240.

Sheep and lamb numbers fell back again this week to a total of 57, 204 head, down 15,488 from last week.

With a drop in numbers, competition increased and clearance soared to an average of 86% across all sheep auctions, with 715 bidders logging in.
Scattered rain and a more positive seasonal outlook for the remainder of October may have contributed to a rise in buyer confidence.
24,730 Merino ewes and ewe lambs were on the box this week, with a solid clearance rate of 76%. Ewe hoggets sold from $82.50 to $268 and averaged $195.
The top-priced Merino hoggets were a line of Poll Bundaleer blood ewes from Pleasant Hills, NSW and averaged 52 kg. Young and proven Merino breeders averaged $156, and ranged from $70 to $240.
The top price came out of Wallaloo, VIC for a line of 2.5-year-old, Studall blood ewes weighing 71 kg. Merino wether lambs were in demand, with an average purchase price of $89.
A top price of $119.50 was achieved by a line of wether lambs out of Coleambally, NSW. These Woodpark Poll blood lambs are April/May drop, with 2” skin, weighing 43kg and are heading to Dubbo, NSW.
Grown Merino wethers were lacking in supply, but sold well to a top of $139.50. This line came out of Euroa, VIC, hit the scales at 63 kg, and are headed to Cranbourne, VIC.
This week saw another successful lamb sale, with 26,000 head being offered, hitting a clearance of 90%. Store lambs sold from $70.5 to $126.5.
43 kg White Suffolk/ Merino mixed sex suckers from Maryborough, VIC, took the top spot. The line was sired by White Suffolk rams and are on their way to Bungaree, VIC.
White Suffolk/ Merino wether store lambs, weighing 43 kg, followed closely with a price of $125. These wethers were bred in Padthaway, SA and are crossing the border to Dubbo, NSW.