A SMALL, cautious buying gallery kept prices down at last Thursday's Jamestown market where young breeding ewes sold to $150.
Bidding was hesitant on most lines of young ewes, breeding ewes and secondary-type wether lambs with agents quoting 2014-drop wether lambs $5 to $8 cheaper than at the previous sale, best quality 2013-drop ewes $10-$15 cheaper, and best breeding ewes $8-$10 cheaper.
Buyers were from the Adelaide Plains, Yorke Peninsula, Eyre Peninsula, Broken Hill, and local northern areas, along with processors Thomas Foods International and Midfield Meats.
Landmark Jamestown's Don Cullen said the sale represented a good opportunity to buy young ewes, wether lambs and breeding ewes at realistic prices.
"The quality of the sheep was generally very good, but they didn't have the bloom and condition of the previous market, which was reflected in the prices," he said.
Elders Jamestown's Scott Fleetwood, said although prices were cheaper, it was still a solid sale.
"It is a sign of the season, with little rain in the South East and Vic and plenty of off-shears sales around, I think people are just waiting to see what is available," Mr Fleetwood said.
The wether lamb portion of the sale was strong, with a line of 200 April/May 2014-drop September shorn lambs from Kimba farmers DG&SG Woolford, reaching $81.50, while TG&AM Woolford, sold 360 April/May 2014-drop wether lambs at $80.
A draft of 400 April/May-drop September shorn wether lambs from AL&RE Hill, Hallett, made $72, and MW&SC Voigt, Wilmington, sold 280 July-shorn Orrie Cowie-blood wether lambs at $78.
Woolly wether lambs were $3-$5 cheaper. A line of 180 F1-F2 Dohne lambs from RD&C Black, Caltowie, made to $93.
Lairg Station, Elliston, offered the biggest penning in the market, selling 2500 May/June 2014-drop White River-blood woolly wether lambs to $77.50.
Panaramittee, Yunta, sold 550 woolly wether lambs at $71.50, and G&B Rowe, Hawker, sold 1300 June/July-drop Greenfields-blood lambs to $70.
Best 2014-drop crossbred lambs were $3-$5 dearer, with Wilton Trust, Jamestown, selling 211 woolly lambs to $96.
DW&DM Williams, Carrieton, sold 350 crossbred September-shorn lambs to $93, and Viking Livestock Trans, Eudunda, sold 310 woolly lambs to $89.
Hale Partners, Hallett, topped the young ewe section with 300 April/May 2013-drop August-shorn at $150.
* Full report in Stock Journal, October 9, 2014 issue.
