FIRST cross ewes made up to $214 at the 31st Salt Creek merino sale at Woorndoo near Mortlake recently.
Elders Mortlake agent Hayden Lanyon said it was the first time the Salt Creek merino stud had offered first cross ewes and prices exceeded expectations, selling for more than $20 a head higher than anticipated.
"Homelea" from near Ballarat was prominent in the bidding for the 318 first cross ewes.
Two-year-old merino ewes made up to $130 with CJ Forbes and Son, from near Bendigo, active in the bidding.
Mr Lanyon said the vendors were happy with the prices achieved, which were close to last year.
"Last year we had a good spring but the trade job was not as good.
"This year we had less feed but the trade job is better.
"It's about $4-$5 a head better," Mr Lanyon said.
Many of the sheep offered went to local producers around the Caramut area.
Bulk buyers included the Eulo Pastoral Company at Caramut that bought 1500 of the three-year-old and five-year-old ewes, paying to $100 for the three-year-olds.
The O'Sullivan family from Jamecca Plains at Caramut bought 1300 of the younger ewes, paying up to $114 a head.
