THE sheep industry's record breaking run continued at Wycheproof today when joined first cross ewes made $290.
In prices never seen before, the line of 190 one-year-old breeders made $290.
The ewes were scanned in lamb to start lambing in two weeks, and had been shorn for a month.
But Elders North West Victorian livestock co-ordinator Kevin Thompson said the price was not extreme.
"It's exciting as there is more money to be made in sheep now, even at these high prices, than when the values were lower," Mr Thompson said.
"A discerning sheep breeder may have got $150 for their old ewe, $150 for their lamb and are now armed with up to $300 to spend on replacements.
"Those who are buying are generally already in the sheep industry, know their numbers and know good sheep."
The small yarding at Wycheproof included lines of unjoined first cross ewes, the best of which made $252.
But the balance of the young prime lamb breeders mainly sold from $220-$230, with few selling under $200.
Demand wasn't limited to crossbreds, with a line of scanned in lamb Merinos making $198 and unjoined Merino ewes selling to $170.
The main spring selling season for breeders kicks off at Hillston on September 13 and already, some within the industry are predicting prices for Merinos could hit $200.
