THE races were full at the Murray Bridge market on September 12, with 13,000 ewes offered at the first Mallee hogget sale of the season.
Elders' Phil Nagel commented on the impressive line-up of Mallee-bred sheep, in forward to fat condition despite a five-week dry spell.
"Strong demand for the better presented lines of 2013-drops saw a top price of $178," he said.
"Buyers were selective in their purchases and prices were often erratic. Mobs that varied, were uneven or showed too much skin were discounted.
"A large selection of breeding ewes sold to strong competition from Thomas Foods International, Coonalpyn, Keith, Penola and local graziers."
Landmark's Kevin Keller echoed these sentiments.
"It was a sale where quality was fairly important," he said.
"When the quality came off, so did the price.
"The good young ewes sold really well, and so did breeding ewes."
Topping the 2013-drop ewes was a run of 252 April/May-drop, Kamora Park/Radnor-blood ewes sold by RK&GB Duell, Bow Hill, for $178 to Elders Rainbow, Vic.
DL&JF Dutschke, Karoonda, sold 127 Kamora Park-blood ewes at $172.
JF Williams, Geranium, sold 76 Lines/Gum Hill-blood ewes at $164. JR&WK Winkley, Kalyan, sold 99 at the same price.
J Weber & Sons, Bow Hill, sold 85 Dalveen-blood ewes at $162.
DT&EJ Kerr, Karoonda, also sold 312 Kamora Park/Jolan-blood ewes at $162.
JL Growden, Karoonda, sold 101 Woodoona-blood ewes at $146.
Other better lines made from $118 to $130, while smaller mixed lines made $96 to $120.
Metala Pty Ltd, Langhorne Creek, sold the top 2011-drop ewes, 260 Dalveen-blood ewes to $118.
JR&WK Winkley sold 79 at $112.
* Full report in Stock Journal, September 18, 2014 issue.