Newlyn prime lamb producer Tony Torpy paid $446 for first cross ewes with lambs at Wycheproof today.

FIRST cross ewes with lambs sold for $446 at the Wycheproof sale in Victoria today as prime lamb producers compete strongly for replacements.

The 114 April/May August shorn ewes from Brenco Farming of Wycheproof had 130 two month-old White Suffolk lambs and sold to T.B. White and Sons client Tony Torpy from Newlyn.

The saleyard record for ewes and lambs of $466 was set in 2016. Elders agent Jim Coffey said it is the first time since 2016 that more than $400 has been paid for ewes with lambs in the Wycheproof yards.

A second line of 234 April/May 2018 drop September shorn first cross ewes with 260 Southdown lambs of a similar age sold for $412 to an O’Connor & Graney client at Mt Gambier.

Sheep Central store stock specialist Murray Arnel said a run of unjoined 1.5 year-old ewes made from $295-$318.

“There was plenty of enquiry, but the best enquiry seemed to be on the smaller pens.

“It looked like money was a problem.”

Mr Arnel said a lot of people want sheep, but were lacking cashflow from harvest.

In the early parts of the sale, young Merino ewes have made up to $275, Mr Arnel said.

A full sale report will be published in Sheep Central on Monday.