The first standalone online ewe sale in the Esperance region, organized by Nutrien Livestock, witnessed substantial demand and impressive returns for Merino breeding ewes. Held on March 15, 2024, the sale featured 11 lines totaling 3,928 ewes, with 10 lines selling for a high of $215 and an average price of $195 per head after just 20 minutes of bidding on the AuctionsPlus platform.
The auction attracted 1,548 views and featured 14 registered bidders, of which five actively placed a total of 14 bids across the 10 lots. Notably, nine of the lots sold remained within the Esperance area, while one lot was purchased by a buyer from Williams.
Highlights from the Sale
The standout lot, priced at $215, was a line of 445 Merino ewes from Kuloomba Farming in Condingup. These ewes, aged between 3.5 and 4.5 years and based on Nepowie bloodlines, were late September shorn and had a liveweight of 73.1 kilograms. The second highest price of $210 was paid by a Williams buyer for 181 ewes offered by Shepwok Downs, which were 2.5 to 4.5 years old, early September shorn, and based on Leachim bloodlines.
Additionally, Shepwok Downs sold ewe lambs for $200 to a Gibson bidder. These lambs, which were unshorn and weighed 46.8 kilograms, were part of the enterprise’s nucleus flock. Another significant participant, Seven Plains Farming, also saw success with three lines of mid-August shorn ewes based on Lewisdale bloodlines, all sold at $200 each.
Vendor Insights and Future Plans
The sale also featured contributions from JA Russell Australia Pty Ltd, which was dispersing its flock following the sale of its property. They offered four lines of mid-September shorn ewes, with the highest price reaching $184. The most expensive line from JA Russell comprised 405 ewes based on Wiringa Park bloodlines, purchased by Tom Page, a representative of Nutrien Livestock, for a local producer.
Jake Hann, the sale coordinator and representative for Nutrien Livestock in Esperance, expressed satisfaction with the event’s success. He noted, “It was the first time we had set up a standalone AuctionsPlus ewe sale for the Esperance region, and it was certainly worth it. We decided to go with the standalone sale to increase exposure and competition among the lines.”
Hann added that all offered lines were genuine and part of flock reduction or dispersal. “Everything sold slightly higher than presale expectations, which was pleasing,” he stated. Given the positive outcome, Hann mentioned that similar sales could be considered in the future if there is sufficient inventory available.
Overall, the auction proved to be a significant event for the local agricultural community, highlighting robust demand for quality Merino breeding ewes in the region.
