Merino young ewes have made a top of $210 a head and young crossbred ewes to $238 a head at the first of two October store sheep sales scheduled for Wycheproof in northwest Victoria.
In a Rodwells – Landmark conducted sale on Thursday, while quality and bloom of the 9000 head yarding was most outstanding, resultant prices were viewed as being solid without reaching significant heights.
Across the crossbred yarding young ewes saw all pens sold between $212 and to the market top of $238 a head. All lots were Gudair vaccinated and September-shorn but only half were noted as be mulesed.
In the Merino section, three non-breeder lots recorded sales pencilled above $200, topping at $210 a head. These were large-framed, spring shorn lines presented in exceptionally fresh condition while a strong showing of other mostly vendor-breed young ewe lines generally made $170- $195 a head with some autumn-shorn 2.5 to 3.5 year-olds cleared at prices from $150-$192 a head.
While competition for the higher priced front lane lots were viewed as being “a little sticky” the depth of the inquiry through the lesser priced pens was quite exceptional with most sales of 4.5 and 5.5 year-old ewes sold in the $125 to $170 price bracket allowing a small attendance of processor buyers limited success.
Another of the yarding highlights was the quality of the wether presentation which saw some 1500 head aged one year-off aged offered. However in spite of the strengths of the wool market processors claimed the majority portion at $116 to $132 a head while those returned to the paddock made $102-$119 a head.
The second of the Wycheproof October sales will be held next Friday October 27th with a penning of 17,000 being advertised by Elders.