Stunning year-on-year turnaround as annual sale slams last year’s results

There has been a massive year-on-year turnaround at the start of the Riverina sheep selling season with values smashing last year’s poor returns.

There has been a massive year-on-year turnaround at the start of the Riverina sheep selling season with values smashing last year’s poor returns.

Riverina sales kicked off online today with this year’s drop of crossbred and pure Merino lambs selling to $160.

And while the results were a huge lift on last year, 25 per cent of the lots did not sell as vendors refused to accept bids.

The best crossbred lambs made $160, paid for a line of Ultra White-Merinos which weighed an average of 40.7 kilograms and returned 856 cents/kilogram carcass weight, right up there with the best prices being paid in the prime pens.

This was matched by a run of Merino wether lambs, which were slightly heavier at 44.1 kilograms liveweight and returned 827c/kg carcass weight.

A year ago the results were nowhere near as good. Buyers were the box seat to secure some of Australia’s best Merino genetics at the cheapest rates in years.

At the time, western Riverina producers sold store wether lambs on AuctionsPlus for as little as $43 – in a dire portrayal of the sheep and lamb market at that time.

Several lots were passed in last year despite having extremely modest starting bids, while a year later, even lambs that were making more than $100 did not meet vendor reserves.

Elders Hay branch manager Andrew Low said today’s sale had been “a great day” after there had been lower expectations even six weeks ago.

“There is some confidence in the job now,” Mr Low said.

“Six weeks ago, we thought the best of the wether lambs might make $100 and they made $160 today, and the second runs we thought might make $60-$80 and they are making $80-$100.

“It comes off the back of an exceptionally strong sale on Auctionsplus earlier this week where lambs that were killable were making really good money.”

Mr Low said the results were good for vendors after a tough run last year.

“This is a refreshing change to see good prices and competition,” he said.