MOVING from the area, Michaela Settle decided to disperse her entire Captains Creek flock at Ararat.
She offered 3200 January-shorn, spring-drop Glendonald-blood Merino and crossbred sheep in forward store condition on Thursday last week.
The sale top price of $167 went to 209 head of 3.5-year-old Merino ewes, scanned in-lamb at 129 per cent to Poll Dorsets to commence lambing May 21.
Sale highlights also included 159hd 2.5-year-old Merino ewes, SIL 116pc to Poll Dorset rams to commence lambing May 21, selling at $154; 192 4.5yo Merino ewes, SIL 130pc to Border Leicester to commence lambing May 21 at $139; 307 unjoined 1.5yo ewes made $138; while 316 1.5yo wethers at $87. Unshorn Merino ewe lambs (336) made $121, while 331 unshorn Merino wether lambs made $82.
Landmark Ararat agent Kelvin Donnan said the sale was very strong, with competition from Bairnsdale, Ballarat, Crowlands, Warrnambool and local restockers.
"The sale exceeded our expectation with the sheep presented in store condition after a tough spring," he said. "The sale reflects the strength in the sheep meat industry and wool markets."