UNJOINED Merino ewes sold to a top of $183 at the Wycheproof store sheep sale last week, with most commanding $150-$165.
The few pens of crossbred ewes with lambs sold to a top of $262, while unjoined crossbred ewes sold to a top of $204.
Many onlookers felt these prices were more realistic than those paid in the Riverina a month ago.
About 12,000 sheep were offered - with 1000 crossbred ewes left out of the sale due to the wet weather - and most of the line-up were Merino ewes of varying ages and quality.
Landmark Wycheproof's Peter Palling said the sale saw "more realistic prices" than recent sales.
"But, some vendors still were double the money ahead - CA and JM Arbuckle sold 1 1/2-year-old ewes for $154 at the sale this year, and the same ewes made $84 last year," Mr Palling said.
The 236 two-year-old Border Leicester-Merino ewes with 320 Poll Dorset lambs offered by AFF P/L sold to a top price of $262 while the best of the unjoined crossbred ewes made $204 for 166 first-cross ewes, May-June-drop from Kardinia Family Trust.
Merino ewes with Poll Dorset lambs sold by John and Gavin Grant from Glenloth East made $200.
"We were happy with the sale - the market is right," Gavin Grant said.
The best of the unjoined Merino ewes made $183.
Quality was mixed, however buyers from local areas and Bendigo and Hamilton bid up on the quality Merino ewes, putting a good floor in the market.
Studall Farms sold the best pen of unjoined Merino ewes with 296 one-year-olds making $183. The better-quality lines of young ewes sold from $150 to $165.
Peter Greenaway from Mooralla near Hamilton paid $204 for unjoined one-year-old crossbred ewes.
"I was actually expecting to pay a bit more so I am happy with this price," Mr Greenaway said.
Studall Farms topped the wether offering with a pen of 567 May-June 2009-drop, January shorn wethers selling for $122 to an Elders Bendigo client, while another pen of 226 wethers sold for $101.
Once off the tops most wethers made $74-$85.
Aaron Sanderson from Bromley Park at Coonooer Bridge sold 255 Merino wethers for $74.
"Well I was hoping for $75 so I am happy with the price," Mr Sanderson said.
