They were 1.5-year-old, first-cross ewes.

All up, 4322 head of 1-1.5-year-old ewes topped at $275 to average $207.79, while the 285 mixed age ewes topped at $205 to average $196.17 and the 3903 ewe lambs topped at $212 to average $138.70.

Sale gross was $1,240,624.

Overall, vendors were pleased with the prices, comparing them to before the drought at the November 2017, first-cross ewe and lamb sale.

However, prices had dropped since the first-cross ewe and lamb sale in November 2018, where Duncombe & Co. agent Jock Duncombe topped sales again, that time for Tolldale Pastoral Company, Gunning at $334 p/h.

Average prices on Monday started at around $240-260 p/h, because there hadn’t been much rain between November and now, according to Mr Duncombe.

The top price ewes were of a better weight and quality, which would mean the farmers wouldn’t have to put as much work in.

Most of the top price ewes also came from the Upper Lachlan Shire.

John O’Brien from Boobalaga, Crookwell got the second highest price at $274 p/h for his 1-1.5-year-old, first-cross ewes through agency MD and JJ Anderson, Crookwell.

He breeds to sell and said Crookwell had a better season than most.

“We’ve got good feed up there,” Mr O’Brien said.

Most buyers would be looking at joining the first-cross ewes within the next four to six weeks, according to Elders agent Tom McGregor.

Elders’ top price of the sale was $265 p/h.

Brian and Sandra Callan of Farringdon Rd, Braidwood bought the top-priced ewes and said they had pretty good pastures, currently.

“We got some nice rain on Friday,” Mrs Callan said.

They purchased the ewes for the lambs they’ll produce for the next six years or so.

“We’re currently replacing older ewes,” Mr Callan said. “If you’re not buying some young ewes each year, you’ll get caught out.”

The sale was conducted by Duncombe & Co., Elders, MD and JJ Anderson, Agstock, Jim Hindmarsh & Co., Landmark and Michael Hall Livestock & Property.