THE crowd inspecting the sheep at Ted and Bev Hill’s West River clearing sale was virtually non-existent but values still reached a $178 high for a line of 278 rising three-year-old mated blue tag ewes.
The price equated to almost $50,000 (GST exc) for the pen making the five lines on offer easily the most valuable asset in the sale.
Elders staff had done their homework with agents holding plenty of orders, which made auctioneer Dean Hubbard’s task of selling an easy one.
The top selling line was knocked down to Peter Wharton, Elders Kojonup, who bought on behalf of Justin and Deb Elliot, Wibi Pastoral, Kojonup, who were building ewe numbers in their flock.
The Hills’ sheep were based on Pallinup bloodlines and carried seven month’s wool.
They were presented with freshly crutched backsides and with some big recent rain they were getting a good green pick.
The offering comprised breeding ewes only and had been running with Merino rams from early November to mid-January.
Selling opened with a $149 winning bid for 304 rising 2yo black tag ewes knocked down to Jamie Hart, Elders Kojonup, with the buyer’s name withheld.
The third line of 263 rising 4yo red tag ewes made $162 again with no buyer’s name available.
The 183 rising 5yo yellow tag ewes fetched $120 and sold to nearby farmer Mark Mudie, Golden Farms, Ravensthorpe, who was also increasing numbers in his existing flock.
The final pen of 165 rising 6yo purple tag ewes made $124.
