Top price paid for Finley High School ewes

Auctioneer Nathan Everingham said they were the best sheep he had seen at the Finley sales.

“These ewes had a record price because of their weight, and they’re pure breed Dorsets so they have a high yield of meat,” he said.

“They were as good as I have ever sold. It’s a sign of the season and a testament to the school’s agriculture program.

“The school has its sheep on grain which helped in the feeding process. They did a good job in presentation on the day.”

Mr Everingham said the higher priced ewes had been averaging between $250 and $270 at Finley.

The second highest price in Finley on May 26 was a pen of Suffolk ewes for $291.

Mr Everingham hopes it is the start of a new upward trend.

“I hope this is a mark of the future for our sheep sales.

“It will depend on how export markets are with the United States, but we’d like to think the upward trend of sale prices can last.”