Restockers chase Merino ewe lambs to $256

Ewes-BalranaldThere were 1,499 Merino ewe lambs offered last week on AuctionsPlus and they sold between $137 and $256, averaging $194, down $18 from the previous week.

The top price was achieved by a line of 200 future breeder Merino ewe lambs (pictured) offered by A/C ‘Condoulpe Pastoral’ from Balranald NSW.

The Wallaloo Park blood, Apr/May 19’ drop lambs weigh 45kgs and have a 2.5” skin on their back. Across the border in VIC, 134 Merino ewe lambs, 47kgs, Apr/May 19’ drop from Wallaloo East sold for $205.

Merino ewe hoggets were down $13 on last week as they averaged $280, selling between $200 and $363. A/C ‘E J Kitto,’ Tallimba NSW, achieved the top price with a run of 111 SIL Merino ewes weighing 61kgs and are 21-22 months old. The Pastora blood ewes have a 1.5” skin on their back and are SIL to Hillside Poll Dorset rams.

Young Merino breeders (2-4 years) were in hot demand as they achieved an overall clearance rate of 91% for the 1,380 head which were offered. Prices also increased; they sold between $260 and $307 to average $286, up $30 from last week.

A run of Merino ewes, SIL to Suffolk rams, from Marrabel SA, achieved the highest price of the categeory. The Keetlan Valley blood ewes were offered by A/C ‘Boxall Family Trading Trust’ with 1.5” skin on their backs, weighing 58kgs; they will remain in SA.

Proven Merino breeders (4+ years) proved even more popular with a 100% clearance rate.

Ewes in this age group sold between $162 and $297 to average $236, down $18 from last week. The top price went to a line of SIL Merino ewes that were offered by ‘GE & EH Barker’ from Deniliquin NSW. The ewes are of Haddon Rig bloodlines, weigh 56kgs, are 5.5-6 years old and are SIL to White Suffolk rams. NSM Merino ewes from Bathurst NSW sold for $236.

The Spring drop 14’ ewes weigh 52kgs, have 2.5” skin on their backs and are of Merryville/Haddon Rig & Thalabah bloodlines.

There were 11,707 Merino wether lambs offered this week, all of which sold. Their prices ranged between $94 and $213, averaging $159, up $4.

A line of Poll Merino store wether lambs achieved the top price; they were offered by A/C ‘Wellagalong Pastoral Company’ from Duramana NSW and will travel to Keith SA.

The Sept/Nov 19’ drop lambs weigh 43kgs, have a 2.5” skin on their back and are of Bundilla Poll Merino bloodlines. From Canowindra NSW, 529 Merino trade wether lambs, 48kgs, May 19’ drop, sold for $182 and will travel north to Goondiwindi QLD.

The older Merino wethers average price increased by $8 to reach $165, as they sold between $125 and $174. The top price was achieved by A/C ‘Chatsworth East’ from Meerlieu VIC, with their offering of 442 Merino wethers. Of Bindawarra blood, the wethers are 18-20 months old, weigh 52kgs and will travel to Wangaratta in North-East VIC.

From Isisford in the Sunshine State, a line of 2-3 year old Merino wethers, 49kgs, sold for $171 and will commence a long journey south to Willowmavin VIC.

First cross ewe lambs achieved a 100% clearance also, selling between $250 and $312, averaging $289, firm on last week.

A line of 240 Border Leicester/Merino ewe lambs achieved the top price; they were offered by A/C ‘Wyangle Pastoral Co’ from Tumut NSW. The future breeders are by Hazeldean Merino ewes and Elerada Border Leicester rams, have a 1” skin on their backs, weigh 46kgs, and will travel to Goulburn NSW. Another notable highlight is a run of 11-12 month old, 50kgs, ewe lambs from Waubra VIC which made $302.

First cross ewes were in similar demand to the lambs as they also sold to 100% clearance.

Prices ranged between $198 and $401 to average $301, down $62 from last week. A/C ‘Tradon Import Export Pty Ltd’ from Avalon VIC topped the category with 225 SIL ewes which will cross the border to Wagga Wagga NSW.

The first cross ewes are 21-23 months old, weigh 68kgs and are SIL to White Suffolk rams. Meanwhile, a line of NSM Border Leicester/Merino ewes, 50kgs, 19-20 months old, from Wellington NSW, sold for $322.

Other notable highlights include a line of White Dorper ewes from Condobolin NSW making $316. A/C ‘CJ & DL Milne’ offered 100 Station Mated ewes that are Apr/Jun 19’ drop, weigh 38kgs and of Kaya White Dorper bloodlines. From Jerapit VIC, 125 SIL Dohne ewes, 54kgs, 21-23 months old, sold for $305 and will head north to Mungindi NSW.

Down in Tassie, there were only 513 head offered this week, however, the sale still achieved 95% clearance. A line of mixed sex, crossbred lambs topped the sale at $182. The Aug/Sept 19’ drop, store lambs weigh 42kgs and were offered by A/C ‘PR & MK Atkins’ from Deloraine.

Looking across to Western Australia, there were 3,959 head on offer. All of sheep sold will travel east as buyers in SA and NSW continue to restock following recent rain.

Ewe prices ranged between $131 and $304 to average $242. The top price was achieved by a line of SIL Merino ewes, offered by A/C ‘Anameka Farms’ in Tammin. The AMS bloodline ewes weigh 60kgs, are 20-21 months old and will travel across the mighty Nullabor to Bimbi NSW.

-AuctionsPlus