BENDIGO crossbred ewe sellers were well-rewarded with a consistent and solid market at the Elders-Landmark premier and exclusive sale on yesterday.
Offering 20,000 head, lines of crossbred young ewes met a market top and a season’s high to date of $213 a head while 14-drop ewe lambs made to a best of $198.
Competition from a modest crowd was not overly widespread given the nature of the season in most parts.
However those that travelled to attend did with intent as a solid floor of prices developed under each segment of the market.
Landmark livestock manager, Ian Carmichael said it was heartening to see the strength of the top-end inquiry that has been generally missing from earlier crossbred ewe markets.
“To gain such a good range of prices above $170 a head for both young ewes and ewe lambs was extremely pleasing as it shows good returns from the lamb and mutton markets are passed back,” he said.
Elders livestock manager, Nigel Starick, agreed and said the higher than anticipated level of pricing was also indicative of the yarding’s quality.
“The season has treated a lot of these sheep very well," he said. “Most have come forward well prepared and this was rewarded by the repeat buyers that have returned to support the sale."
Topping the young ewe market was Andy Hay, Kamarooka, trading as JH Hay & Son.
His line of 219 BLM-cross April/May 13-drop was bred ex Bundy-blood ewes by Campaspe rams.
These went, at $213 a head, to repeat buyer Landmark Euroa while a second pen made $198.
Malcolm Knight, Golden Wattle, Quambatook sold, at $199, a pen of 195 April/May 13-drop young ewes that went to Landmark Leongatha.
These were bred ex Charinga-blood ewes by Towarri BL rams.
Sales of 14-drop ewe lambs were eagerly contested especially pens offering a pre-New Year joining.
Topping the ewe lamb section of the market at $198 a head was Stephen, Roz and Ross Berryman, Manobar, Moama.
From a draft of 700 March/April-drop ewe lambs they achieved an average of $186.80 while G & D Allan, Melrose, Mathoura, sold 690 April/May-drop ewe lambs to $189, average $172.