JAMESTOWN
Yarding: 25,000
Wethers to $130
Crossbred lambs to $125
Young ewes to $207
PRICES were back at the monthly Jamestown market on Thursday, March 22, with about 25,000 sheep and lambs yarded.
Elders agent Scott Fleetwood said it was probably the toughest sale at the selling centre in the past 12 months.
“It was a tough sale but I don’t think anyone expected anything different, with there being no rain for a considerable amount of time,” he said.
“But considering the conditions, I thought prices were still pretty good, and the support from the trade was exceptional.
“People were able to buy a lot more sheep than in previous months.”
Landmark Jamestown agent Shannon Jaeschke said dry conditions led to subdued interest, which meant good opportunities for people looking to buy.
“The sheep presented in pretty good order, but due to the dry conditions it was harder to move stock,” he said.
“If we can get a good general rain I think we could see things change pretty dramatically. There’s still a lot of confidence in the job.”
A feature of the sale was the annual turn-off from Jumbuck Pastoral.
Princess Royal bought 674 of Jumbuck’s 2016-drop wethers from its Mobella Station, via Tarcoola, for $122.
Jumbuck also sold 1785 of its 2017-drop wethers to Spence Dix & Co for $98.
Thomas Foods International bought a large line of 1443, 5-year-old ewes for $90 from Jumbuck’s Mulgathing Station, via Glendambo.
TFI also bought 1672, 6yo ewes from Jumbuck for $85 and another line of 699 for $65.
The top price for wethers was $130 for 116 Baderloo-bloods from AP&GA Moore, Caltowie, which were bought by Landmark Fawcett Mount Pleasant agent David Schultz for client RM McGorman, Cambrai.
RK&VS Brooks, Jamestown, sold 96 Broadoak-bld wethers for $116 and Schmidt Family Trust, Kapunda, sold 184 Radnor-blds at $110.
The highest price for crossbred lambs was $125 for 155 White Suffolk-Merinos from Humphris Family Trust, Gladstone.
Also selling crossbreds were DG&HL Fielding, Peterborough, with 64 at $114, and Wayside Farming, Yongala, with 71 at $112.
Ewe lambs made to $158 for 140 Morley-blds from RT&AJ Finlay, Quorn, and sold to Stuart Kyle, Kyle Livestock, Kaniva, Vic.
Young ewes sold to $207 for 258 Jaburee-blds from JA Pfitzner, Eudunda.
The tops of the 5yo ewes were 193 Pimbena-blds from Glebe Nominess, Ceduna, which made $164.
Black Rock Ag, Orroroo, topped the 6yo ewe section with 190 Leahcim-blds at $104, while ND&ALP Baum Family Trust, Auburn, topped the 7yo ewes with 112 Mernowie-blds at $110.
Mr Fleetwood said there could be between 10,000 to 15,000 sheep and lambs yarded at the April 19 sale.
“But if there’s no rain to grow any feed, people will continue selling sheep,” he said.
“Even when we get a rain, some farmers will be moving sheep to get on with their cropping program, so there’ll be a few numbers coming out of paddocks because of that.”