IT was literally standing room only at the Cootamundra Saleyards on Wednesday as one of the largest yardings of sheep in the past two decades had buyers, bidders and auctioneers alike kept busy.
Figures from the sale reveal more than 4500 sheep, 2500 lambs and 4500 suckers attracted spirited bidding.
While many of the agents in attendance agreed this time of year generally sees a peak in sale numbers, Wednesday’s sale was easily one of the biggest in the past 20 years.
One of the reasons behind the high yarding figure is that many local and regional farmers are opting to sell their stock now rather than be forced to undertake summer shearing.
Problems with blowflies and grass seeds also increase in the hotter months which can severely affect the quality of the stock, while the on-going worry of a sustainable water supply also saw some farmers offload stock.
Quality at the sale was listed as good, with the highest price being for 22kg number four suckers with a $4 skin which made between $98 and $105.60.
Other quotations from the sale saw 18-20kg lambs with a $3 skin fetch $88, 24-28kg number four Merino wethers with a $3 skin made $78 to $82, while 22-24kg number cross-breed ewes made $70.
Stock was yarded from several surrounding districts including Stockinbingal, Bethungra, Bribbaree, Boorowa, Young, Wombat, Harden, Binalong, Galong, Yass and Jugiong and was bought to kill at Tamworth, Melbourne, Wangaratta, Cobram, Dubbo, Goulburn, Junee and Cootamundra abattoirs.
Local agents who were involved in this week’s sale were from Delta Agribusiness, Benson Livestock and Property, T Williams and Co, Elders, Holman Tolmie and Landmark/Copeland Medwa.
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