Australian White ewes sell to $800 at Swan Hill

Morningquest Cropping, Dumosa, sold two pens each of 38 Australian White scanned-in-lamb ewes.

The October/December 2020-drop ewes averaged 45.6 kilograms liveweight for 1754.4 cents a kilogram.

Assessor John Payne, Elders, said the Tattykeel-blood lambs were out of "extremely well-bred shedding ewes".

They were scanned-in-lamb to Gamadale rams.

Morningquests' owner Rick Sheehan said the sheep game continued to stay positive.

"Ewes were making $500 at Hay, NSW, the other day, and everyone is chasing the Aussie Whites," Mr Sheehan said.

"I think it's the ease of maintenance."

Read more: Australian White ewes fetch a whopping $1015 a head

He said he started running Australian Whites in February last year and currently had 1200 breeders.

"I have only had them since the pandemic, so I call them my COVID sheep."

He said he wanted a maintenance-free, intensive farming system, and Elders Swan Hill advised him to buy the Australian Whites.

Elders Swan Hill stock agent John Payne said one pen went to Ouyen and the other to Swan Hill.

"Two months prior, we sold their sisters for $475, so it is amazing how much further it has kept going," Mr Payne said.

"Tattykeel has done a brilliant job in marketing the breed, a bit like Angus did a few years ago."

He said ease of care was an attraction, with the sheep requiring no shearing or crutching.

BR&C livestock agent Toby Newnham said he was pleased with the sale, with younger ewes selling for slightly higher prices.

"Hay had an absolute belter, so it certainly comes off a little bit after that," Mr Newnham said.

A & R Hiscock, Waiko Station, Ivanhoe, NSW, sold two pens of 250 Merino ewes for $378 or 637c/kg.

Moola Pastoral, Cunninyeuk, NSW, sold 154 head of Merino ewes for $333 or 572c/kg.

Lalbert Park, Quambatook, sold 200 Border Leicester/Merino ewe lambs for $288 or 753c/kg.