Pinnaroo offers first February lamb sale in 70 years

PPHS agent Paul Kinnaird believed it had been seven decades since local producers were offered the option and was pleased he could help provide it for the community.

"The area has a fair few lambs at this time of year. Feed is definitely coming to an end and it is the beginning of early-season lambing," he said.

"It was a great opportunity to move lambs which are usually at the peak. It was probably why we had such a good quality yarding."

Mr Kinnaird said prior to holding a February market, producers sold lambs on-hook or online.

"This market gave buyers a chance to get over the top of lambs and have a closer look," he said.

Pinnaroo producer Nathan Wilson sold about 315 lambs on Monday, after taking the opportunity to offload summer lambs, which had just come off stubble.

"We generally sell at this time of year at Naracoorte or over the hook if lambs have been contracted," he said.

"But, when we were told about this sale, it fitted in perfectly for us and of course, it was really close to our farm."

Mr Wilson was also pleased with the price.

"It was a positive outcome for the first sale. It was great to see returns bounce back from where it was during the spring," he said.

At the end of January and first half of February, Mr Wilson outturns lambs to get ready for the next run coming through in the next month or two.

"We also support the off-shears sale in spring and by having a February sale here, we are really confident to come here each year if it keeps being held," he said.

"The new saleyard complex is working well for everyone so far."

Mr Wilson said it was more costly by not having access to a local market but most importantly it had provided greater flexibility with marketing stock.

"Getting the timing right and getting into the market you need is the most difficult part. So, by having it centralised and a February sale, you know there is an option ahead and that tool is in your planning moving forward."