THERE were strong results across the board for vendors at the Crystal Brook market on Wednesday.
In a quality yarding of close to 4000 sheep, young ewes sold to $244 and 5.5-year-olds sold to $181, while lambs topped at $152.
Combined Independent Agents Association's Craig Barbary said there was good demand for lambs and middle-aged sheep spurred by the strength of the industry, seasonal timing and meat consumption trends.
"There's a lot of optimism out there at the moment, people can see that later on there could be a potential shortage of lambs," he said.
"Lambs are a short-term spin and there's stubbles coming off now, some hay being cut and baled so there's a few paddocks available and demand for lambs is very good.
"Middle-aged sheep were $170-$190 which is not too expensive. You talk to meat buyers and red meat, particularly mutton, is the flavour of the month presently.
"When your selling older sheep for $170-$180 if you're going back into young sheep, you can afford to go back in and buy some high quality."
Topping the ewe section were MDG&KS Thomas, Orroroo, selling 142 September-shorn, April/May 2018-drop Mernowie-blood ewes at $244.
Other 1.5-year-old ewes to sell well included a run of 78 December-shorn, April/May 2018-drop Leahcim-blds from HR&JM Searle, Wilmington, which made $194. The same vendor sold 99 December-shorn, April/May 2016 and 2017-drop Leahcim-blds for $190.
KD Fromm sold 35 July-shorn, August/September 2017-drop Baderloo-blds for $190.
Middle-aged ewes from the west coast attracted good competition with 155 October-shorn, April/May 2016-drop Karawatha Park-blds from TJ&DL Larwood, Buckleboo, making $198 and 107 of their April/May 2015-drops making $184.
Older ewes also sold well - a run of 139 October-shorn, May/June 2014-drop Moorundie Park-bld Merino ewes from Michael and Di Smith, Yackandandah Farming Trust, Hart, selling for $181 to TFI.
TFI also bought 58 June-shorn, 6.5-year-old Glendemar-blds at $150 from B&W Smith, Laura.
RELATED READING: Young ewes hit $260 at Murray Bridge
Topping the lamb offering were 141 September-shorn, June/July-drop Border Leicester/Merino lambs from Roseville Farming at $152.
PFT Investments, Stanley Flat, sold 128 unshorn, April/May-drop mixed sex crossbred lambs, approximately 40 kilograms, at $139.
Offering a large run of lambs were AG&P Greig, Crystal Brook, with 137 of their unshorn, April/May-drop Merino wether lambs, approx. 40kgs, making $134.
The same vendor sold another 500 unshorn, April/May-drop wether lambs, in runs of 231 and 269 at the same weights, for $120.
Finishing the sale were six Ramsay Park-bld White Suffolk rams from NJ&SG Ferme, which sold at $500.
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