BIDDING was strong at the Jamestown market on Thursday last week, with 2013-drop wether lambs selling to $86, young ewes to $138 and best breeding ewes to $127.
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Landmark auctioneer Don Cullen said recent substantial wind damage to barley crops had graziers competing strongly for suitable wether lambs to value-add using grain that was on the ground.
"The competition on these sheep was widespread from the west coast to the Murray Mallee," he said.
"Young ewes met strong competition from the later areas in the state and sold at equal value to our last market.
"It was a very good sale, with very good competition on all lots."
Elders quoted best 2013-drop shorn wether lambs as $5-$8 dearer on the last market with the trade operating on the heavier end of the lambs. Secondary lines made $47-$67 and were $8-$10 dearer.
AL&JC Woolford, Willowie, sold 120 April/May, 2013-drop wethers, August shorn, for $81, while LR&CH Nutt, Orroroo, sold 417 May/June 2013-drop wethers, August shorn, for $74.
CH Laucke, Eudunda, sold 400 June/July 2013-drop wethers, October shorn, for $69.
More than 3000 woolly wethers were yarded, with the best being up $10-$12 and prices ranging from $56-$70, while secondary lines were also $10-$12 dearer with a price range of $52-$60. The thirds of these lines achieved $41-$51.
Smith Partners, Johnburgh, sold 500 June/July 2013-drop woolly wethers for $70, with seconds making $60. The Gap, Burra, sold 310 May/June 2013-drop wethers, October shorn, for $67.
About 1000 older wethers were yarded, with prices ranging from $56 to $69, which was $5-$8 dearer, while 2013-drop ewes rose $5-$8 and ranged from $54 to $72.
Breeding ewes rose again by $8-$10 with secondary drafts being $8-$10 dearer. Pastoral bred ewes also rose and were $10-$12 up at the last market.
Ian Gun, Streaky Bay, sold 81 May/June 2011-drop ewes, July shorn, for $127, along with 69 May/June 2010 drop ewes, July shorn for $126.
MP McCormack, Snowtown, sold 112 June/July 2010-drop ewes, September shorn, for $100; while SW&MT Gregory, Hawker, sold 139 April/May 2011-drop ewes, September shorn, for $90.
SJ&DM Bradtke, Mannanarie, topped the young ewe section of the market with 144 April/May 2012-drop ewes, September shorn, for $138.
Close behind was Stakers Pastoral, Jamestown which sold 158 June/July 2012-drop ewes, September shorn, for $126.
*Full report in Stock Journal, November 21 issue, 2013.
