Stubble munchers draw big demand

Sheep were yarded from the West Coast, North East Pastoral, Eastern Pastoral, Southern Flinders, Broken Hill, Mid North, Yorke Peninsula and local areas.

All sheep received good competition from mostly southern buyers, with enquiry from Vic as far as Birchip, Ouyen, Wycheproof, Horsham and Kaniva.

The trade was represented by Thomas Foods International.

Elders Jamestown's Scott Fleetwood said interstate buyers were a great help to a "very strong" sale, and all classes of sheep and lambs were dearer.

"Sheep going as far as Victoria, really helped put a floor in the market," he said.

"People made the most of it being the last sale before the Christmas break."

Mr Fleetwood said the team wished to thank all vendors and buyers for their support through the saleyards in the past 12 months and they looked forward to catching up in the new year.

Landmark Jamestown's Don Cullen said the Christmas cheer continued after Thursday's market, following a "very, very good" sale of some quality sheep.

"The fact it was the last sale with significant numbers was promising, " he said.

"People looking to procure lambs to go on stubble saw this as their last chance and put a floor in the bidding.

"The ewe portion was particularly strong as well, which is unusual for this time of year."

Best of the Merino wether lambs came from N&C Klingner, Crystal Brook, who sold 400 May/June-drop Springvale North blood wethers to $81.

AL&JC Woolford, Wilmington, also sold to $81 on 120 April/May-drop second-cross Dohne lambs. RR&JJ Rigg sold to $75 and $74 on 1000 May/June-drop Collinsville blood wether lambs, seconds making $74, and Paratoo Props, Yunta, sold 400 April/May-drop lambs to $72.

AC Jacka & Sons, Jamestown, sold to $72 on 400 June/July-drop Lines Gum Hill blood lambs, seconds making $69, and RJ&AJ Finlay, Quorn, sold to $72 on 150 April/May-drop Anama and Nyowee blood lambs.

Crossbred lambs hit $90 for Sawers Farms, Mooralana Station, via Port Augusta, who sold 700 woolly crossbreds including their seconds which made $88, and Gowan Brae Props, Port Germein, sold 750 December-shorn crossbred lambs to $83.

* Full report in Stock Journal, December 19 issue, 2013.