A larger yarding of 1,657 head at Mount Pleasant produced keen competition across suckers, last-season lambs and hoggets, with the top price of $322 paid for first-cross Suffolk/Merino suckers.
Top sellers and buyers
The top pen of suckers came from CD&LM Martin, Rocky Gully and was purchased by Andrew Smith of Strathalbyn, a prime-lamb and lucerne grower who supplies three butchers. Mr Smith told the Stock Journal that it had been a strong season on the Fleurieu Peninsula.
“It's been a really good year, with heaps of feed and clover halfway up to your knees,” said Mr Smith
Mr Smith planned to shear the suckers immediately and turn them into clover-lucerne paddocks for fattening.
Other notable prices
Other sellers of suckers and lambs who achieved headline prices included:
- S Wenske, Tungkillo – crossbreds at $300
- Brown Farming Enterprises, Keyneton – crossbreds at $300
- Clifton Vineyards, Angaston – crossbreds at $296
- P Burgemeister, Sedan – crossbreds at $296
Last-season lambs reached top callings of $280 for two vendors: Graetz Family Trust, Keyneton with crossbreds and Monapilla Estate, McLaren Vale with Suffolks. Older lambs also recorded strong rates, with sellers including M Kuskoff, Kersbrook (crossbreds at $270) and Greig & McEvoy, Keyneton (Australian Whites at $260).
Hoggets, wethers and mutton
The hogget section was led by Graetz Family Trust, which topped at $270 for crossbreds. Other hogget and wether sales included:
- B&C Borrett Pty Ltd, Langhorne Creek – Merino wethers at $260
- Grossman Family, Angaston – Merino wethers at $260
- W Pratt, Harrogate – crossbred ewes at $248
- EM Olson, Geranium – Merino wethers at $244
Mutton topped at $240, with three vendors achieving that price.
Sale summary table
| Vendor | Category | Price |
|---|---|---|
| CD&LM Martin, Rocky Gully | First-cross Suffolk/Merino suckers | $322 |
| S Wenske, Tungkillo | Crossbred suckers | $300 |
| Brown Farming Enterprises, Keyneton | Crossbred suckers | $300 |
| Clifton Vineyards, Angaston | Crossbred suckers | $296 |
| Graetz Family Trust, Keyneton | Crossbreds (hoggets) / last-season lambs | $270 / $280 |
| Monapilla Estate, McLaren Vale | Suffolks (last-season lambs) | $280 |
| M Kuskoff, Kersbrook | Crossbreds (older lambs) | $270 |
| Greig & McEvoy, Keyneton | Australian Whites (older lambs) | $260 |
| W Pratt, Harrogate | Crossbred ewes | $248 |
| EM Olson, Geranium | Merino wethers | $244 |
| Various vendors | Mutton | $240 (top) |
The Stock Journal report highlights solid demand for first-cross and crossbred lambs at Mount Pleasant, with buyers prepared to pay premiums for suitable finishing stock ahead of the summer spell on the Fleurieu Peninsula.
