OVERNIGHT storms failed to dampen prices at the Wycheproof October store sheep sale, with first-cross ewes hitting a top of $472 a head and Merino ewes reaching $456.
Elders auctioneer Kevin Thompson, Wycheproof, said storms overnight and 15 millimetres of rain did take the shine off the presentation of some of the yarding.
Mr Thompson said the first-cross sheep sold exceptionally well and above expectations of agents and vendors.
"It just shows the demand out there for good breeding ewes," he said.
"The competition was widespread but the Riverina finished the strongest."
He said the first-cross ewe lambs sold "pretty well", with some later-drop lambs that would be good to put away.
He said prices for Merino ewes were variable, with the very good quality ewes selling extremely well while some lines "were buyable - lacking some bloom".
He said Merino wethers sold well but some were affected by the weather.
Buying support came from Swan Hill, Hay, NSW, Finley, NSW, Mildura, Ballarat, Kyneton and local areas.
Top of the first-cross ewes was a pen of 260 by Ilfracombe, that were August/September 2020-drop, September shorn, and sold for $472.
The sale started on a good note with a pen of 255 first-cross ewes, April/May 2020-drop, September shorn, sold by Trealla Farming, with 267 White Suffolk lambs at foot that made $395.
A line of 233 first-cross ewes, June/July 2020-drop, September shorn, sold by Jenames, for $455.
A small line of 58 sold by Watershed West sold for $422 for first-cross ewes, September 2020-drop, July shorn.
Lines of first-cross ewes to make $400 included a pen of 140 sold by Brenco Farming that were April/May 2020-drop, September shorn, as well as 105, same description, that also made $400.
PJ & MS McRae sold 196 first-cross ewe lambs, October shorn, that made $270.
JA Cattanach and Son sold a draft of 2021-drop first-cross ewe lambs, with the first draft of 220 making $260, and with three other pens selling between $216-$255.
Kevin Crook, Tamaleuca, Ouyen, received a best ever price of $456 for a pen of 200 Merino ewes, September-shorn, with a second line of 125 making $280.
Ettershank Pastoral sold a pen of 235 Merino ewes, May/June 2020-drop, August shorn, for $340.
The same vendor sold 250 Merino ewes, May/June 2016-drop, September shorn, for $252.
Selling for $312 was a pen of Merino ewes, May/June 2020-drop, July shorn, sold by GJ & LJ McGurk.
JJ Hallam Pty Ltd sold 209 June/July 2021-drop Merino wether lambs, unshorn, for $172, and a second line of 159 at $150.
Gulthul sold three lines of wether lambs, April/May 2021-drop, with a pen of 223 making $162, a pen of 417 at $151, and 418 at $151.
Two lines came forward from Ettershank, with one pen of 237 making $150, and 315 making $138.
