EP CIRCUIT SALE
Yarding: 15,326
Merino wether lambs to $158
Crossbred wether lambs to $165
Maiden Merino ewes to $186
YOUNG Merino wether lambs sold to $158 at the annual Elliston and Port Kenny Circuit Sale, where more than 15,000 head went under the hammer last week.
Elders Streaky Bay branch manager and auctioneer Paul Kilby said it had been a great success to include the extra 5000 head from properties in the Port Kenny area for the first time, drawing buyers from as far afield as the Upper South East and new buyers from Crystal Brook and Maitland.
"The job was $20 to $30 better than last year with the market and the good start to the season," Mr Kilby said.
"If the season lets us we'd like to have 10,000 at Port Kenny and 10,000 at Elliston next year."
The majority of the offering were new season Merino wether lambs that presented in fresh condition.
The blue ribbon for the top price Merino wether lambs went to a line of 306 Minta-bloods from GV Hull Nominees, Mount Cooper. which made $158.
The May/June 2019-drops were 45 kilograms to 50kg liveweight.
It was one of three lines that sold to Thomas Foods International which also bought the tops of the crossbred wether lambs from L&R Kenny & Sons, Colton, for $165 in fierce competition.
These 280 Suffolk-Merinos were April/May-drop.
The remainder of the Merino wether yarding met strong competition from restockers with 35kg to 42kg wether lambs making $144 to $154, 30kg-34kg lambs making $123-$134 and 23kg-29kg made $95-$113.
A line of 5.5-year-old classed in Merino ewes from N&D May, Elliston, made $176, while three lines of maiden ewes ranged from $126-$186.
Heavier crossbred lambs weighing 35-42kg made $144-$154, while lighter lines 20-28kg made $125-$129.
Jamalka Farming, buying through Elders Tumby Bay, was the sale's volume buyer, securing 4500 heavy lambs.
The Elders network bought 75 per cent of the offering, with 1500 lambs heading to Bordertown, another 1200 knocked down to Elders Eudunda/Roseworthy, 1100 to Elders Kadina, and many other lines staying on the EP.
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