A NATIONAL price record for first-cross ewes was set at Naracoorte last week and interstate sale results are boding well for further records to tumble this Thursday.
Trevor, Judy and Lachie James, Coolawang stud, Mundulla, sold 270 young ewes for a record $366 to Thomas Farms Rural on Thursday last week. The sale averaged more than $300 a head, $64 up on last year.
After that exceptional result, eyes are turning to today’s ewe lamb sale at Naracoorte, with a yarding of about 30,000 expected.
At last year’s Naracoorte sale, ewe lambs sold to $256 – which was $26 up on the previous year – and averaged $185.
But, agents believe the top will be more than $300 this year.
Thomas DeGaris & Clarkson Penola livestock agent Darren Maney said while last week’s Naracoorte sale went above expectations, it was not unreasonable money.
“I think last week’s sale was a clear $20 to $30/hd above most people’s expectations,” he said.
“But, the prices also corresponded with the present market. When you’re getting $170-$180 on your better lambs and $100-$120 on your older ewes, then it’s not totally unreasonable money.
“I remember about 10 years ago selling ewes at $270 when people were only getting $80-$90 for their lambs, so that was a lot of money to pay. With the returns at the moment, I think you can make these numbers work.”
Mr Maney believes it is very likely a record for ewe lamb prices will be set at Naracoorte this week.
“I think the top-end of the ewe lambs will go well over $300,” he said.
“The top-end of the ewe lambs should be equivalent to the average on the 1.5-year-olds. While I don’t think a lot of lines will go over $300, I’m certain we will go over that price.”
Promising signs for this week’s sale include Friday’s annual Bendigo, Vic, crossbred sale, where ewe lambs made to $302.
Ewe lamb prices were also very strong at the Edenhope, Vic, sale on Thursday last week, making to $276.
Pinkerton Palm Hamlyn & Steen director Robin Steen believes the top-end of the ewe lambs will make $300-plus on Thursday.
“But I also think there will be some very good runs of joinable ewe lambs in that $240-$280 bracket,” he said.
Southern Australian Livestock general manager Laryn Gogel said what stood out to him at last week’s sale was the consistency of price across the yarding and he had high hopes for this week’s ewe lamb auction.
“There’s every reason to think the best price will be about $300 or so,” he said.
Naracoorte Combined Agents Association chairman Tom Dennis said with the global market for lamb on a solid footing and an outstanding sucker season in the southern zone, the sheep industry was breaking new ground.
“The main drivers of the Naracoorte sale are the repeat sellers offering after-sale service and honing their skills as breeders in a manner similar to a stud breeder, and the ever increasing confidence in the lamb and sheep industry in general,” he said.
