Quality was the drawcard at Wycheproof spring store sheep sale on Friday, where prices for the 13,000 head yarding peaked at $395.
The first draft of vendor bred ewes comfortably received more than $300/hd, which Elders Wycheproof Jim Coffey said reflected the competition for quality lines offered.
The yarding comprised of quality drafts of 2020 and 2021 first-cross and Merino ewes and wethers, as well as some pens of 2016 to 2018 drop ewes.
"We had a very strong sale for the better end quality lines of sheep," Mr Coffey said.
"Once we got off the better quality, auctioneers worked harder with prices gained reflecting spring store sheep sales.
"The results were good for both vendors and purchasers."
The sale high was paid to the regular vendor, GJ & LJ McGurk, Yeungroon, offered 500 first-cross Border Leicester/Merino ewes, 1.5 years old, which three lines topped at $395, and averaged $364.
Kaneria Holdings, Culgua, sold 320 1.5 year-olds first-cross Border Leicester/Merino ewes, October shorn, across two lines at $348 and $282.
The sale-topping prices of the breeders' first-cross ewe lambs was $376 was received for first-cross ewe lambs, offered by AD & RL Gawne, Boort, for 240 May-drop Border Leicester/Merino cross ewes, by Monmore Border Leicester rams, October shorn.
The next best price was $362, paid for 250 May/June drop Border Leicester/Merino cross ewe lambs, offered by Adrian and Pat O'Shannessy, Swanwater, whose second draft of 232 snagged $270/hd.
Major vendor, RC & MJ Medlyn, Woodlawn, offered a draft of 800 Border Leicester/Merino cross ewe lambs, April/May drop, offered across three lines that peaked at $294, and av $266.
In the Merino offering, a draft of 754 ewes, offered by R L & A H Rollinson, Concordia, Mysia, May/June 20 drop, September shorn, sold across two lines, av $295.
Merino ewes topped at $300, paid for 330 July/August 20 drop, September shorn, offered by B A & L K Thompson, Wycheproof.
G A, F M A & B A Simpson, Winjallok, offered two lines of May/June 20 drop, October shorn Merino ewes, with the first draft of 385 to $290, and the second draft of 285 at $268, both lines purchased by the Batters family of St Arnaud.
Of the older Merino ewes, BC & MJ Olive, Yeungroon, sold 295 Merino ewes, June/July '17 drop, February shorn, Pooginook blood and Hillview bred, to $264, purchased through Elders, Bendigo.
The Simpson family of Winjallok offered 367 Merino ewes, '17 drop, which fetched $224, to a repeat buyer through Nutrien Ballarat, who also purchased 406 of their older sisters, '16 drop at $200.
Tyrrell View, Sea Lake, offered 268 '18 drop Merino ewes, which sold to $222, purchased by a client of Elders, Jerilderie.
In the Merino wether offering, Yeungroon's BC & MJ Olive also offered 388 June'July '21 unshorn Merino wether lambs hit the draft high at $170, purchased by Elders Boort, while ID & PM Durie, Wycheproof, sold 280 1.5 year-old, February shorn, at $192, to Elders, Kilmore.
The Simpson family sold 1.5 year-old Merino wethers, across two drafts of 398 to $150, and 222 to $148, as well two lines of Merino wether lambs, with 582 to $130, and 255 to $122.
Mr Coffey said other notable lamb sales were sold on account J H & J J Elliott, for 252 shorn wether lambs, at $156, with the 290 lighter brothers to $132, both purchased by an Avoca grower.
Tyrell View, Sea Lake, sold 199 Merino wether lambs, June/July '21 drop, October shorn, at $168.
Annabelle Cleeland
Annabelle Cleeland is a Stock & Land journalist. She has worked at Australian Community Media for more than a decade serving in a number of roles including editor, senior journalist and national sheep & wool writer. She runs a fine Merino wool property with her young family in North-East Victoria.
Annabelle Cleeland is a Stock & Land journalist. She has worked at Australian Community Media for more than a decade serving in a number of roles including editor, senior journalist and national sheep & wool writer. She runs a fine Merino wool property with her young family in North-East Victoria.
