The PPHS team sell the Farmers Leap ewe lambs for $422 at Naracoorte yesterday.

FIRST cross ewe lamb prices hit a record $422 at Naracoorte yesterday, but buyers were still able to secure ewes joinable for a 2026 lambing for $280-$350 after good stubble, pasture or crop backgrounding.

The top run of 50kg-plus lwt ewes in each agent’s run generally sold from $330-$380, with the better lambs for an early Autumn joining made $320-$370.

The top end of those suitable for a late Autumn 2026 joining (40-45kg lwt) or to run on for sale as 1.5 year-olds ranged from $280-$320.

Repeat buyers focussed on known lines or were looking for early drop well-matured ewes in forward condition, with some middle run ewes lacking condition.

The top price and best presented pen on the sale was 83 April-May lambs from PPHS client Farmers Leap that sold to a JM Ellis Hamilton client Camp Creek.

Farmers Leap livestock manager Jo Roper said she was happy with the prices, although the sale was volatile in places. The Padthaway operation sold about 815 lambs for an average of around $370, about $30 up on last year.

She said it has been a slog to put weight into the ewe lambs given the season, after starting supplementary feeding in December last year and continuing into early September.

Southern Australian Livestock client Altus Pastoral sold 150 April-May drop lambs for $402 and the 140 seconds made $342. SuperBorder breeder FB Lock and Sons sold April May drop lambs for up to $358, with the remainder making generally $288-$346.

Mt McIntyre producers Rita and Graham Reichelt were happy with the Naracoorte ewe lamb purchase.

Elders client IL and PJ Farley ‘Marmon Hill’ sold lambs for April-May lambs for $380 to Mt McIntyre producers Graham and Rita Reichelt who were happy to bid up early. The Marmon Hill seconds sold for $376.

Nutrien client Sparks Farming sold 60 April-May lambs for up to $354, with the remainder making generally $320-$340.

Sale got good Victorian support

LMB Livestock agent Jack Behncke said he bought 2100 lambs for an average of just over $300 to go out on bean stubble or summer crops to sold on or joined in mid-February.

“I bought a lot of (38-45kg lwt) ewe lambs for $300-$310,” he said.

“A few of my clients have got pretty smart lambs and I don’t believe in shearing $260-$280 lambs so they’ll cash them in to roll it over into a first cross ewe lamb for similar value.”

Mr Behncke said he would love to put background more ewe lambs because he believe this time next year demand for replacements could be stronger.

“I went to all three ewe sales – Edenhope, Naracoorte and Bendigo – and I really rate the Naracoorte sheep, I think they are top shelf and were really good buying.

“I just hope there is enough in it for the breeders to continue to do it.”

AWN Stawell agent Ash Driscoll bought 3000 lambs at the sale for producers east of Stawell. He paid $255-$305 for lines suitable for a late autumn joining.

“But they won’t be targeted for that – they will be run through to October and shorn for November-December 2026 sale.”

He said depending on the season, based on lamb and mutton prices and flock numbers, he can’t see why ewe prices wouldn’t maintain or improve.

“There will be a lot more cash lying around after a good season of lambs and mutton this year.”

He believed he got more weight for less money at the Naracoorte sale than at Edenhope the week before and was expecting to pay $15-$20 more.

“It was at least $30 cheaper than expected and some sales were $50 cheaper.”

Solid without being crazy

PPHS principal Robin Steen said the lambs were pretty reasonable buying.

He said there isn’t an excess amount of money in the system and some agents commented values might be $40-$50 dearer after producers had sold lambs and made space on farm. Mr Steen believed most ewes over $300 were bought to join either later this year or in 2026.

“I think there was a lot of opportunities there.

“A lot of our fellows bought lambs to join right through the sale and it was a bit up and down if you didn’t have your job set,” he said.

“It was reasonably solid.”

Buyers came from throughout south-east South Australia, but also Victoria’s Western District, Wimmera and central Victoria.

Elders Naracoorte agent Tom Dennis said it was a “cautious result – solid without being crazy.”

“$330-$400 for the better end, the buyers will be happy and the sellers will be happy.”

“There was definitely an anticipation that it was going to be perhaps dearer, but there is also the echoes of the last two years running through the market and the caution to rebuild.”

He thought the western Victorian producers buying ewe lambs, but yet to sell lambs, were more aggressive than the south-east South Australian bidders.

“I think there is a real feeling they want to get in behind the first cross breeders and support them, and keep them going.

“They are nervous that these sheep aren’t going to be around.”