THE state's only annual sheep circuit sale is going from strength to strength with its biggest offering yet, about 16,000 head, to be offered next month.
The Elders-run sale on the Eyre Peninsula was held for many years until the late 1980s but four years ago it was revived.
Since then it has attracted about 10,000 head annually in the Elliston area.
For the first time this year the sale on Wednesday, September 4 has been expanded to include sheep from the Port Kenny and Streaky Bay district.
Elders Streaky Bay branch manager and sale auctioneer Paul Kilby is expecting 16,000 head across 11 properties in an 80 kilometre area.
"By having all the sheep together on the one day it attracts buyers to come to us and the sheep present better when they are not carted too," he said.
"There are big lines and small lines so buyers can put together numbers they want."
The majority of the yarding will be April/May 2019-drop sucker lambs but some breeding ewes will also be on offer.
"We have had average rainfall in May and June and although we had a below average July, 10-15mm a couple of weeks ago freshened the district up," Mr Kilby said.
"They (the lambs) will be a bit heavier than last year but still in that early to mid 30 kilogram range."
In last year's sale Merino wether lambs made $90 to $115 and crossbred wether lambs made $110 to $125 and Mr Kilby is expecting this year's prices to again be buoyant.
The sale will start at Tungatta Station, Sheringa, at 10am and conclude at Yandra Station closer to Streaky Bay.
