These 20-22 month-old first cross ewes at Cowra, NSW, sold for $444 on AuctionsPlus last week.

PRICES for scanned in-lamb first cross ewes again reached record levels on AuctionsPlus last week, as sheep producers across the nation continued to restock after recent rain.

AuctionsPlus said first cross ewes were again in high demand last week, with several lines making more than $400 in a 100 percent clearance.

Prices for ranged from $172 to $444 to average $370, up $69 on the previous week, the highest average rise for a category. The top price was paid by a New South Wales buyer for 360 20-22 month-old first cross ewes that scanned 152 percent in-lamb to Poll Dorset rams. The mid-September shorn ewes were offered by Jumbuck Trading at Cowra, NSW, weighed 66kg and were mostly score 3 in condition. Jumbuck Trading also sold a lighter line 349 20-22 month-old mid-October shorn first cross ewes scanned 148pc in-lamb for $441. They weighed 63.8kg.

At Milvale in NSW, Yerracoppa from ‘Oakvale’ sold 192 two year-old early September shorn first cross ewes scanned 147pc in-lamb to Poll Dorsets for $437. The ewes weighed 59.6kg.

In north-west Victoria at Lorquon, the Hair Family Trust sold 360 2.5 year-old late November shorn first cross ewes that scanned 127pc in-lamb to White Suffolk rams for $410 to a South Australian buyer at Penola. The ewes weighed 69.8kg and were mostly score 3 and 4.

There was an 88pc clearance of the first cross ewe lambs offered online at $208-$335 and averaging $279, down $10. The top price was paid for 63 mostly July-August drop unjoined first cross ewe lambs from The Troffs Pastoral Co at Trundle, NSW. The lambs weighed 49.9kgs and were bought by a NSW buyer at Forbes.

Sheep and lamb numbers almost double

AuctionsPlus said its online sheep and lamb offering returned to pre-Easter heights, almost doubling to 91,425 head. Despite the spike in numbers, the clearance rate remained a steady 85pc overall, down only 5pc on the previous week.

Average prices dropped very slightly in the wether categories; however, most ewe prices increased.

Scanned Merino ewe hoggets sell to $344

These two year-old scanned in-lamb Merino ewes sold for $344 on AuctionsPlus last week.

The Merino ewe lamb offering increased 1938 head to 3437. They sold from $150 to $275, averaging $227, up $33. A 95pc clearance was recorded. The top price was paid for 72 July-August 2019 drop unshorn Merino lambs at Cowra, NSW. The lambs weighed 38.1kg.

Merino ewe hoggets sold from $122 to $344 to average $260, down $20. The top price was paid for 410 two year-old late April shorn ewes from ‘Broadlands’ at Jabuk in South Australia that were scanned in-lamb 150pc to White Suffolk rams. The ewes weighed 54.5kg.

Auctionsplus cleared 87pc of the 3758 2-4 year-old Merino ewes offered last week for $194 to $331 for an average of $272, back $14. The top price was paid for 415 3-4 year-old late February shorn ewes scanned in-lamb to Poll Dorset rams, from the Michalanny Farm Trust at Marrabel in South Australia. The ewes weighed 64kgs.

Proven Merino ewes, 4 years and older, experienced a dip in clearance rate to 86pc. But despite an increased offering, the ewes sold from $182-$387 to average $260, up $24. The top price went to a line of 153 ewes with 200 1-6 week-old Poll Dorset cross lambs, offered by S. R. & C. White at Lalbert, Victoria. The mid-August shorn ewes weighed 70kgs.

Merino wether lambs sell to $202

The online offering of Merino wether lambs doubled to 23,472 last week and 79pc were sold. Prices ranged from $125 to $202 with the average holding firm at $158. The top price was paid for 380 unshorn August 2019 drop lambs weighing 47.2kg from R. & L. & J. Hain at Cooma, NSW. They sold to a NSW buyer at Orange.

Older Merino wethers were slightly back in price to average $160, and sold from $137 to $190. The top price was paid for 584 early March shorn 3-5 year-old wethers from J.F. & G.P. Ridley at Girral, NSW. The wethers weighed 60kg and sold to a NSW buyer at Forbes.

At Lake Fyans in south-west Victoria, J.A. & B.E. Kilpatrick sold 460 21-22 month-old early February shorn Merino wethers weighing 53kg for $171, to a NSW buyer at Albury.

Tasmania clears crossbred lambs to $198

Tasmanian producers offered 1558 crossbred lambs last week, up 1045 head, for a total clearance. They sold from $122 to $198, averaging $177, down $8. The top price was paid for a line of 6-7 month-old mixed sex Poll Dorset cross trade lambs weighing 55kgs offered by the Nichols Family Trust at Scottsdale. They sold to a Victorian buyer at Bendigo. Another highlight was a line of mixed sex White Suffolk cross lambs weighing 49kg offered by Brooklodge Estate that sold for $190 to a NSW buyer at Murrami in the Riverina region.

SA and NSW buyers dominate in WA sale

Western Australian producers offered 1558 ewes and lambs last week and sold 89pc. All lots were sold SA and NSW buyers as the eastern states producers continue to capitalise on the recent rain. The Merino ewes sold from $188 to $271 to average $248. The top price was paid by a NSW buyer at Jerilderie for 800 10-12 month-old mid-July shorn Merino lambs weighing 39.1kgs from J.R. & W. Steel at South Yilgarn.

Store lamb offering increases

AuctionsPlus offered 22,671 store lambs last week, an increased of 4912 head. Prices ranged from 374-676c/kg liveweight to average 515c/kg, down 41 cents. Some highlights included:

–              First cross mixed sex, 27kg lwt, $181 or 676c/kg, Sept/Oct 2019 drop, Bombala, NSW

–              Poll Dorset cross, 26kg, $170 or 646c/kg, Sept/Oct 2019, Young, NSW

–              White Suffolk cross mixed sex, 28kg, $176 or 622c/kg, Sept 2019, Guyra, NSW

–              Poll Dorset cross, 25kg, $152 or 606c/kg, Oct/Nov 2019, Bombala, NSW

–              Southdown cross, 27kg, $160 or 590c/kg, Sept/Oct 2019, Rennie, NSW

–              White Suffolk cross, 30kg, $177 or 58c/kg, Sept/Oct 2019, Warialda, NSW