THE eastern states raid on WA sheep has begun with Victorian and South Australian farmers active at various clearing sales across the state in the past week.
Rain and solid feed supplies in many areas of the eastern states has prompted an increase in the number of WA sheep heading across the border.
At a clearing sale at Ongerup on Monday, only one of the seven lines of Merino ewes sold under the hammer remained in WA, as agents from a range of companies cast bids on behalf of their eastern states counterparts.
Four lines of ewes totalling 1860 head were purchased on behalf of livestock agents M&P Jolly, Birchip, Victoria.
Two of the four lines were purchased for $112.50, which, with the addition of $27 per head freight, makes for quite a hefty total.
Elders regional sales manager Chris Puckridge said the demand for sheep at the moment was "incredible", with a lot of eastern states interest which he expected to continue.
"In the last two weeks, at every clearing sale we've had there has been strong interest from the eastern states network," Mr Puckridge said.
"There has been good rain in the east so there is a lot of feed around, which is why they're chasing numbers.
"It's creating competition, which is what we want."
Mr Puckridge said interest had come from a range of areas including the Mallee in Victoria and the south-east of South Australia.
The market was being underpinned by the live export industry, Mr Puckridge said, but lately clearing sales had been dominated by the eastern states demand.
"We would expect the demand to continue," he said.
"When you can produce lambs for $100/head, it's a good investment.
"This situation has been on the cards for a while, supply and demand is totally out of whack."
As for prices, Mr Puckridge said he expected them to stay at a relatively high level.
"The popularity of lambs is driving the market and consumer resistance to price will be the only thing to slow it," he said.
"It's a great sign for people looking at their program because sheep are still a wonderful part of farming operations and are a great investment."
A Landmark clearing sale in Esperance last week also drew attention from the east, although it was largely dominated by the live export industry.
However two lines totalling 648 head of ewe weaners headed to Pinkerton Palm Hamlyn Steen Pty Ltd, Naracoorte, South Australia, for $80 and $61 respectively.
And at last week's Ballagin Park clearing sale in Wagin, Boolaroo Farm, Victoria, paid the $76.50 top price for a line of 281 2008 drop Merino ewes mated to Dorper rams, with the same buyer paying $75 for the remaining 280 ewes which were also mated to Dorper rams.
M & P Jolly owner/manager Peter Jolly, who purchased the 1860 head of ewes from Monday's sale, said they generally purchased a lot of sheep out of WA, predominantly because they preferred to source sheep in big lines for their operation.
Mr Jolly said NSW used to be an prime area to source sheep from, but the flock had significantly reduced over the years.
"It's getting very hard to source stock anywhere at the moment, but we will continue to source sheep in WA if we can," Mr Jolly said.
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