ANOTHER week, another record price - this is becoming the norm at sheep sales in southern Australia.
The records tumbled after bidding reached a new national benchmark of $244 for one-year-old Merino ewes at Pinnaroo in South Australia.
The record-breaking line of 148 September 2009-drop Merino ewes was sold by Peter and Marianne Wallis of Glenlea Park stud, Pinnaroo.
Mr Wallis said he was hopeful the line would make $190-$200.
"No one could see the price going that high (to $244); it was a pleasant surprise."
The record is about $70 higher than the previous benchmark set at Pinnaroo for comparable ewes.
The buyer, Mark Richardson from Tintinara, will add the complete line of commercial ewes to two rams bought at the stud's ram sale earlier last week.
"He was chasing the genetics; to be able to buy a complete line rather than culls was probably a once-off opportunity," Mr Wallis said.
Agent, David Daniel from Elders Pinnaroo, said the better lines of young ewes sold from $200 and up to the record $244 with two and three-year-old ewes consistently clearing the $200 barrier as well.
"They were very well grown-out young animals that were six months younger than any other sheep in the yarding," Mr Daniel said of the top priced line.
Older ewes returned from $100 to $140, or meat value, he said.
In all, 6200 sheep sold to buyers in a belt from Naracoorte in south east South Australia to Ouyen in Victoria's north west.
