Lead drafts of first-cross ewes failed to drew the elevated attention of other late-in-the-season markets at Kyneton ewe sale on Friday.
With no volume or out-of-district orders in place to drive the anticipated higher demand, a reversed field of local buyers returned prices to lower mid-season levels. Most sales of 1.5 year-old ewe maidens realised $200 and $250 a head. The market top of $270 a head was paid for the opening pen.
Offered by Carinya, these were May/June 15-drop and September-shorn while later-shorn lots set further back in the sale managed a best of $250 a head.
Landmark’s Greg Dwyer said it was a good yarding, under the seasonal conditions, with sheep presenting well. He said buyers came from Shepparton, Gippsland, locally and into the Bendigo and Ballarat areas. ”They were looking for young, cross breeding ewes to join,” Mr Dwyer said.
McGrath Rodwell’s John Robson said it had appeared Ballarat “had sucked the life” out of the market. “Ballarat was dear on the Thursday, I hoped we were going to get a spin off from Ballarat, but we went the other way,” Mr Robson said.
But he said lamb sales were very good. “They were solid all the way through, and the plainer the lambs, the better the money,” Mr Robson said.
Best joinable lines made from $200, to a top of $235. a/c A&K Barri, Glenhope while restocker lines made $140-$195 a head.
