PRICES for young and breeding ewes at Spence Dix & Co's annual off-shears sale at Keith in South Australia last Thursday reflected the growing concern of many about the unseasonal dry conditions.
The first sale for the South East Merino offshears sales featured a terrific yarding of well bred ewes but prices were back $10-$15 on the better types compared to 2013, and even more on the plainer types.
The 8100 yarding was boosted by two dispersal sales, and sheep from clients of guest vendors Southern Australian Livestock.
A pen of 209 May-June 2013 drops from the Lines Family Partnership ex Paraweena at Keith topped the sale at $174.
The Lines Gum Hill-blood ewes were bought by Pinkerton Palm Hamlyn & Steen's Richard Harvie who was buying for noted first-cross ewe producer Peter Ireland, Deepwater Trust, Lochaber. They will be mated to Border Leicester sires.
"We got rolled last year but we have bought them before," Richard said. "Peter likes the Lines' sheep for their big frames, open faces and plain bodies. They are ideal for producing first-cross ewes."
The complete drop of 503 April-May 2013 drops from David Gilbertson Family Trust made $168 to RMK Pastoral, Willalooka. They were large framed Leahcim bloods.
GG Lines & Sons, Mount Bryan, SA, received $162 for their 117 Merino ewes, while Griffith Brothers sold 189 May-June 2013-drops for $157.
Southern Australian Livestock's top price pen were an impressive line of 1.5-year-old F2 Dohne ewes which made $135.
The August-shorn, Ulooloo-bloods were offered by CW&RJ Zadow, Keith.
The majority of the sheep remained in the local area, but the yarding also attracted buyers from the Mid North, Mallee and Victorian Wimmera.
The dispersal of 2.5yo ewes from CJ&J Hein, Meningie, SA, topped at $140 selling to Rockallen Pastoral Co through Spence Dix & Co.
The Heins 3.5yo made $120, and their 4.5yo made $111. They were all Dalveen-bloods.
Spence Dix & Co auctioneer Luke Schreiber praised the outstanding line up of sheep with the quality commented on by many.
"The sheep sold at solid rates without breaking any records. There was certainly some value opportunities for purchasers to buy," he said.
Southern Australian Livestock's Adam Bradley said they weren't expecting any records to be broken but were a bit disappointed more of their ewes didn't make $120 to $130.
"We didn't have a lot of numbers in there either which might have worked against us," he said. "In the past these small lines can work in your favour with blokes not having to outlay as much money when prices are high.
"We'll just move on and start thinking about next year."
Catherine Miller
Stock Journal's livestock editor and South East correspondent.
Stock Journal's livestock editor and South East correspondent.
