WELL bred ewes with a long history of astute breeding and wool quality sold to a $168 high at the Lance family’s clearing sale conducted by Elders at Gnowangerup last week.
The ewes were offered under the OC & MG Chappell banner, a name synonymous with quality and presentation at many Katanning special sales in the past, and it was evident buyers had good memories.
Last week 1728 ewes in six age groups went under the hammer and wool and prime lamb producers were in equal force as they sought ewe lines for future years.
All ewes with the exception of the 400 ewe lambs were scanned in lamb and were due to start lambing in six weeks’ time from March 1.
They were offered bare shorn and up to date with all husbandry treatments including a plunge dip off-shears.
Elders auctioneer Dean Hubbard encouraged buyers to bid up telling the crowd that selling conditions at the moment were leaning towards a buyer’s market.
Noted meat and wool producers Peter and Pauline Bunker, Kendenup, paid the $168 top price for the 281 black tag rising three-year-old ewes after paying $136 for the previous pen of 417 rising 2yo ewes.
The sale opened with 400 Merino ewe lambs that fetched $95 and sold to prime lamb producer Bruce Wright, Mt Barker.
The fourth line comprising 216 rising 4yo, blue tag ewes had a secure future as wool growers after they were knocked down for $141 to Nick Critchon and Geoff Shepherdson, Gnowangerup, who were restocking with commercial sheep after selling their Anglesey stud late last year.
The 239 rising 5yo, red tag ewes sold for $120 to AT & JI Watterson, Kendenup, to produce F1 Prime SAMM mothers for their next lambs and the final draft of 175 rising 6yo, purple tags went for $122 to Patrick Smith, Pingrup.
