SCANNED in-lamb first cross ewes sold to a new record price of $476 on AuctionsPlus last week, but clearance rates and average prices dipped for several categories.

The number of sheep and lambs offered online remained firm at 73,068 head.

But the overall national clearance dipped slightly to 69 percent, down 5pc.

Merino ewe lambs had the biggest jump in average price, up $26 to $232, but the real highlight was a line of first cross ewes from R.K. & S.A. Mumford at Koolywurtie in South Australia selling for a national record price of $476. This was despite the category’s average price falling $27 for the week.

The clearance rate for Merino wethers was the highest for the week at 90pc, although the average price fell $7. The offering of Merino wether lambs increased again to 11,433 head.

However, the previous week’s increase in crossbred lambs last week did not continue and their number dropped to only 2614 head. Merino ewe hoggets were again in high demand and all those offered were sold.

Central west restockers now cashing in

Central western NSW was again the largest purchasing region, with restockers securing 11,540 head, down about 2500, although this was still more than a fifth of the total sales. The listings from central west NSW also increased by about 1000 head for it to be the largest single listing region, suggesting restocking farmers are starting to cash in on the current prices.

Merino ewe lambs sold from $160 to $326, averaging $232, up $26. The top price was achieved by a line of 403 future breeder ewe lambs from Hay, NSW. These ewe lambs are 60kgs, May/Aug 19’ drop, Greenfield blood, have a 2” skin and will travel to Cowra, NSW.

Merino ewe hogget prices lift to $351

Merino ewe hoggets corrected in price jumping back up $37 to average $261, selling from $160 to $351. The top price was returned by a line of 577 SIL ewes from O’Connell, NSW. These hoggets are 61kgs, 2 years of age, have 3+” skin, are SIL to Border Leicester rams and will travel to Nyngan, NSW.

Young Merino breeders (2-4 years) took another backward step by $8 to average $250, selling from $177 to $385. From Euroa, VIC a line of 137 ewes and 161 lambs returned the top price. These Belbourie blood ewes are 67kgs, 3 years of age, have 3” skin and are staying local to Euroa.

Proven Merino breeders (4 years and older) sold from $156 to $349 and averaged $250, down $6. The top price was achieved by a line of 231 NSM ewes and 219 lambs from Padthaway, SA. These ewes are 62kgs, 4-6 years of age, have 3+” skin, with 1-2 month old LAF sired by Border Leicester rams and will travel to Kaniva, VIC.

Merino wether and lamb prices slip

The average price for Merino wether lambs dropped $8 to $149, within a range of $121 to $172. The top price was returned by a line of 650 store wether lambs from Bourke, NSW. These wethers weigh 41kgs, are Nov/Dec 19’ drop, have a 2¼” skin and will travel to Scone, NSW.

Merino wethers sold from $120 to $170, averaging $145, down $7. From Muckadilla, QLD a line of 500 woolgrower wethers achieved the top price. These Roselea blood wethers are 65kgs, 2-4 years of age, have a 2.5” skin and will travel to Longreach, QLD.

Young first cross ewes set new national record

First cross ewe lambs sold from $186.5 to $319, averaging $275, down $7. The top price was returned by a line of 200 Sep/Oct 19’ drop ewe lambs, weighing 50kgs. These Cressbrook Merino and Linton Border Leicester blood ewe lambs hail from Cowra, NSW, and will be staying local to Cowra.

First cross ewes sold from $280 to a record breaking $476, averaging $356. The tremendous price was achieved by A/c ‘RK & SA Mumford’ from Koolywurtie, SA. The 171 SIL ewes weigh in at 82kgs, are 13-14 months of age and are of Glencorrie blood. They have been mated to Dorset rams and will head to Bordertown, SA. From Grong Grong, NSW a line of 178 first cross ewes, 3 years of age, weighing 100kgs sold for $401 and are heading to Bathurst, NSW.

Looking to Tasmania, a small offering of 625 head resulted in a 66pc clearance and an average price increase of $111. At Avoca, ARC & SJ Thompson offered two lines of 19-20-month-old first cross SIL ewes that sold for $282 and $290 weighing 55kgs and 58kgs, respectively. The lighter line will remain on the island and the heavier line will head to Benalla, VIC.

Store lamb values lift

AuctionsPlus offered 2224 store lambs last week and they made from 325-591c/kg liveweight, averaging 466c/kg, up 7 cents. Highlights included:

–              Apr/May 20’ drop – 29kg, White Suffolk/Merino Mixed Sex Suckers from GANMAIN, New South Wales sold for $173 or 591c

–              Feb/Mar 20’ drop – 28kg, White Suffolk/Merino Mixed Sex Suckers from CARISBROOK, Victoria sold for $148 or 538c

–              Mar/Apr 20’ drop – 36kg, BL/Merino/Poll Dorset Mixed Sex Suckers from GEORGES PLAINS, New South Wales sold for $175 or 490c

–              Aug/Sep 19’ drop – 37kgs, BL/Merino/Dorset Mixed Sex Lambs from RYLESTONE, New South Wales sold for $173 or 463c