Many buyers went home without buying from Casterton, with strong competition on breeders

Many would-be buyers went home empty-handed from a strong sheep sale at Casterton. See the prices.

Casterton’s council run saleyards drew a line under 2024 today with its annual sheep sale closing out the year with strong demand evident on quality breeding ewes.

The shortage of breeding ewes across the industry saw prices beat pre-sale expectations, especially on the lighter lines.

The top prices of the 3500 head yarding included a line of 80 young first-cross ewes, offered by Matlock, which made $306.

These ewes were 1½-year-old Border Leicester-Merino Newry blood ewes, November shorn, mulesed and OJD vaccinated, scanned empty.

The Matlock sheep featured throughout the best priced pens of the sale, and included another pen of 80, with the same breeding, which also made $302.

An earlier pen of 72 first-cross Matlock ewes, 1½-years-old, sold for $296.

And other drafts from Matlock sold for $262 and $228.

The 163 Fortrie first-cross ewes, of the same age, October shorn, also mulesed and OJD vaccinated, opened the sale on a softer note of $226, but demand built as selling continued.

Caravista had 121 first-cross ewes, 1½-years-old, November shorn, OJD vaccinated, that fetched $230; and a secondary draft that were knocked down at $222.

Tandara, Coleraine, had two drafts with 101 in each pen of well-presented composite ewes, 1½-years-old, December shorn, Chrome blood, mulesed, that sold for $268 a piece. The third draft made $232.

Elmvale’s composites were also well sought after, with their draft of 144 Romney-Border Leicester-Merino ewes, November shorn, OJD vaccinated, making a high of $280.

A second pen of 164 Emlvale ewes also sold for $280, and the thirds made $234.

Joining selling agents Nutrien Casterton for the first time this year, was the independent Thomas Degaris and Clarkson agency, with auctioneer Matthew Treglown offering a few pens; including 122 on account Drysvale, 2½-years-old, vaccinated and September shorn, for $234.

A feature of the sale included a partial dispersal of the sheep flock of Geoff Cain and family, Selkirk East, Strathdownie.

After 40 years of breeding, the Cains are moving out of sheep and into more cattle.

The first pen of Selkirk ewes, 104 composites, 2½-years-old, October shorn, bred from high index Cloven Hills and Chrome genetics and OJD vaccinated, sold for $270 to Hamilton’s Charlie Waters.

The next pen of shedding sheep, 175 F1 Nudie ewes, 2½-years-old, October shorn, from high index Cashmore blood, OJD vaccinated, drew less competition, selling for $146.

Subsequent pens of Selkirk East composite ewes sold for $210, $222, and $169.

Buyer Charlie Waters, Hamilton secured 209 ewes for his Hamilton district property and said prices were “pretty reasonable”.

Buyer Charlie Waters from Hamilton with agent Bernie Grant at Casterton sheep sale.

“I usually buy in Naracoorte but didn’t this year and my other option was Ballarat, next week, but these prices, up to $270 for the Selkirk East ones, were reasonable.”

Buyer Peter Henry, Yulecart, bought 72 Matlock first-cross ewes, for $296, and said “the prices was all right for what they were today”.

Paul and Melissa Johnstone, with daughter Emily, Cashmore, bought the top two Tandara pens. Paul said he had purchased these sheep many times before.

Looking to buy Emily, Melissa and Paul Johnstone, from Cashmore at Casterton sheep sale.

TDC auctioneer Matt Treglown said he thought the sale result was “very good” across the board. “I think it is reflective of what the lamb market and mutton market are doing,” he said.

“We (TDC) just had a few here today but it is something we will build on (in coming years).”

Casterton’s Nutrien auctioneer Rick Smith said he was “pretty impressed with today”.

Rick Smith taking bids at the Casterton sheep sale.

“It was a bit better than expectations coming in and I think that is a sign that confidence is returning back into the industry, with mutton at 400-450c/kg and lamb 850-900c/kg,” he said.

“It was pretty consistent right through, the first pen was not quite there but it then gained momentum.

“People are working out there is going to be a shortage of better breeding stock going forward.

“Demand came from the Green Triangle region, from Mount Gambier to Hamilton, we had good support.”

Watching Dad Shaun at work was Oscar Mansbridge, 10, Hamilton, with Erin Kinnealy, at Casterton sheep sale.

Chris McLeod, Moutajup, and Margot, 2.5, looking to buy at the Casterton sheep sale.

Looking to buy, but going home empty handed this time were Tahara's Sharlene Stanislawski and son Jackson, 18 months, with his grandfather Garry Cooper at Casterton.

Nutrien Casterton team Fletcher Bright, Christian Howlett, Paige Hale and Andrew Harrison at the Casterton sheep sale.