A CROWD of Great Southerners descended on the Crosby family’s property at Woodanilling recently for their clearing sale which included the final part of their Merino flock dispersal.
After selling the majority of their Pooginook-blood ewe flock in November, the Crosbys had three lots of ewe lambs and wether lambs to sell, totalling 1381 head.
The ewe lambs sold to a top of $121 per head for 300, going to HG Schlueter, Tambellup, after the opening bid came at $105, followed by 305 head which sold for $119 and 166 head which sold for $69.
The wether draft totalled 610 head and these sold for $100 to Livestock Shipping Services.
All up, the sheep grossed $145,049 and averaged $105 per head.
Landmark Katanning agent and auctioneer Mark Warren said the sheep on offer were of a very high standard.
“The Crosby sheep are very good quality, heavy cutters,” Mr Warren said.
“The ewes will be good future breeders and will grow out to be big framed, plain-bodied ewes when they are older.
“They are suitable to all areas of the State, both dry and wet, and have proven to sell well after the dispersal sale in November averaged $159 across the 1.5yo-5.5yo ewes.
“Overall the Crosby sheep have sold very well and met with strong competition.”
Top price buyers Ken and Amy Schlueter, Tambellup, said they were chasing the Pooginook bloodline because their flock was based on the same genetics.
“We’re building our numbers up again after downsizing the flock a while ago,” Mr Schlueter said.
“At the moment we have about 3000 head but we want to be back up around 5000 head which is why we were buying today.”
Of the line of ewes they bought, Mr Schlueter said he was happy with the quality and potential of the young ewes.
An added perk to the livestock portion of the day was the presence of 12 alpacas which drew plenty of interest and discussion from the crowd of onlookers.
These were sold via private negotiations for $200 per head.
Among the interested parties were some local Merino stud breeders eyeing off the alpacas on offer and were later heard haggling over prices.
Maybe there are some extra special stud sires coming up through the ranks this year which need some extra special protection from the everyday perils of farm life?