The sheep industry’s ewe buying season has kicked off with dynamic results at a number of Riverina outlets.
The most impressive was the annual clearance of Merino ewes from the Hay district which saw a muster of 37,000 young and older ewes along with 15,500 wethers.
Conducted at times in irritating dust (due to a water system failure) the sale cleared 20 lots at prices of $200 a head or better before topping at $258.
The popular view on the day was “consistency in prices” had replaced the “silly money” of yester-years when prices reached a record, $282 a head.
However the same noted breeder/vendors again headed the honour’s listings.
The McKindlay family’s Goolgumbla-blood Mooloomoon ewes set the benchmark followed by the Roger’s family Alma-blood Yarto ewes with the Goolgumbla-blood Merwin ewes next.
A rough season in the north of Hay districts robbed some lines of their condition nonetheless these “second-tier” quality lots remained well supported and priced modestly from $150- $190.
The same was said of the older ewe market were better sales made $140 to $166 a head for genuine 5.5 year-olds, and those older or lacking condition, $110- $135.
A highlight on the day was the support offered by southern operators.
A good number were bought for River and cropping areas of the southern NSW and northern Victoria, however the interest normally displayed from the east and north, to Wagga, Forbes and Dubbo was not as prominent especially those districts normally focused on early October/November joinings.
Another point of interest was the big lines regularly offered at Hay sales seemed not to impede the buying gallery. Many four-, six- and eight-deck sales were completed on day resulting in a number of six-figure sums exchanging hands on single fall of the hammer.
Moving away from Hay and two Riverina crossbred ewe sales of note were also conducted last week.
The Narrandera spring sale saw discerning buyers again at the top of their game competing across a yard of 4651 first-cross ewes.
It was said the condition of the sheep reflected the indifferent season, yet buyers met the market with resolve after having recently sold prime lambs and/or old ewes into strong and stable meat markets.
Reports indicate most Narrandera ewes made $210 to $250, but the younger ewes were hard going, making $160 to $190 while the few ewe lambs made $140-$150.
Meanwhile the annual Gnadro Pastoral Co, Collingullie clearance of 5200 one and half year first-cross ewes held on-property near Wagga was described as a “million dollar sale” when prices averaged $220 a head after a top price of $270.
