A smaller yarding than expected at the Kyneton annual crossbred ewe sale brought some surprising results, according to McGrath Rodwells auctioneer Kieran McGrath.
Agents yarded 6234 head of ewes, down about 1000 on what was expected.
"The ewe lamb job was very patchy and there were some ewes, in my opinion, that were well under the job," Mr McGrath said.
"Once you got to the bottom run of the ewe lambs, I thought they made their money.
"But there were some real good joinable age ewes there that struggled to attract major bidding."
He said he was surprised one pen sold for $405 a head, with the adjoining one only going for $300.
He said the Gippsland buyers "made their presence felt", with Ballarat, Bendigo, Kilmore and local agents and purchasers were also in attendance.
"The sale lacked a bit of depth, I thought the gallery was quite good but there were a lot of lookers," he said.
Elders agent Dean Coxon said he was very happy with the sale.
"It was very similar to Ballarat, for the type of sheep offered," Mr Coxon said.
"It wasn't as hot as Bendigo, but all the markets have eased a bit."
He estimated the numbers were down on what was expected and on previous sales.
"We had a similar number of ewe lambs," he said.
"That's a sign of the times, a lot more people are joining ewe lambs and not growing them out as 1.5-year-olds."
Read more: Kyneton prices still buoyant
Topping the sale was a pen of 128 May/June 2020-drop Blackgate-blood ewes for $405, which went to Sharp Fullgrabe.
The ewes, presented by Anthony and Kate Barri, Glenhope, also picked up the best presented pen prize and were awarded the Geoff Keech Memorial Trophy.
"I think they were outstanding, I don't think you would get ewe lambs as good," Mr Coxon said.
R&P Paget sold 162 September/October 2019-drop ewes, Elengerrin-blood, for $390 to TB White & Sons, Ballarat.
Amanda Foley, Darrenden, Rochford, sold 150 Pina-blood May/June 2019-drop ewes, for $388.
Mick Ryan, Ardsley, Pyalong sold a pen of 101 Baynton-blood May/June 2019-drop ewes for $386, to Elders Shepparton.
Stockrange, Glenhope, sold 70 Pina-blood May/June 2019-drop ewes for $370.
BP Kelly, Pyalong, sold a pen of 150 Brurob-blood ewes, June/July 2019-drop, for $360, to TB White & Sons, Ballarat.
P Searle sold a pen of 74 May/June 2019-drop, Brurob-blood ewes for $388 to Nutrien, Kilmore.
R & H, J.D & R McNutt, Knowsley, sold 50 ewes for $390.
Among the 2020-drop ewe lambs, FX & SM Coghlan, Bridgewater, sold 204 Blackgate and Towarri-blood ewes for $300.
Glenhope Pastoral, Glenhope, sold 139 Baynton-blood May/June 2020-drop ewes for $354.
P Kelly sold 49 Brurob-blood May/June 2020-drop ewes for $234.
Langley Pastoral Company, Langley, sold 141 May/June 2020-drop, Baynton-blood ewes for $284.
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Andrew Miller
I'm a general reporter with Stock & Land, with a special interest in irrigation issues. I completed my cadetship, with the Age, in 1980. Over my career, I've worked for ABC radio news (Mt Isa, Qld) and at provincial and suburban newspapers.
I'm a general reporter with Stock & Land, with a special interest in irrigation issues. I completed my cadetship, with the Age, in 1980. Over my career, I've worked for ABC radio news (Mt Isa, Qld) and at provincial and suburban newspapers.
