Some 7800 of the 8200 sheep on offer were sold, giving a clearance rate of 94 per cent. Top price paid was $106 by a local purchaser for half the run of 409 ewes, one-and-a-half year old, January shorn, offered by Bertangles Pty Ltd. The total run of the ewes, owned by Sam and Rowena Weir, averaged $101.

Selling agents Stephen Scroope and Phil Butt were delighted with the result.

“It was very, very pleasing in all respects, especially with the prices achieved” said Mr Scroope. “We haven’t had prices like these in the district since the market support scheme in the 80s.

“The industry dynamics have changed,” he continued, explaining that the top prices were achieved for dual purpose sheep. People want an animal that can produce a good lamb as well as a decent fleece, he said.

Other notable sales on the day were:

* 600 store crossbreed lambs offered by A&H Griffin of “Uriarra Station”, which sold in two lots for $80 and $75.75.

* 566 first cross lambs from RH & PA Connell, “Dowan Hill”, with the ewe portion making $81.50 and the wethers $70. Both lots went to Wagga Wagga. Also, 560 wether weaners, September drop, went to Elders Goulburn for $55.

* Current Tallawong ram buyers snapped up a mob of 5½ year old classed breeders from the same stud, paying $100.50 for the 400 August shorn ewes.

* P&S Frost from “Barrackville” achieved an average price of $103 for 590 June shorn merino ewes, 3½-5½ years old.

* GR&LM Southwell from Rye Park sold 150 merino ewes, 1½ years old, May shorn, for $97.

* The Armour family from “Glenrock” sold 564 ewes, 6½ years old with a May skin, for an average of $86.50 to a Binalong purchaser.