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Love ewes all, eastern farmers tell the West
10 Apr 2003
Normally, sheep going from Western Australia to the eastern states go in cardboard boxes as meat. But the drought has changed all that, with eastern state farmers buying up WA breeding ewes to boost their flocks' breeding programs.
Over 40,000 ewes have travelled the nation over the past month or so from west to east, with sheep selling at $10 a head better than normal and averaging $50 to $55 for good breeding stock. Which makes it painful for eastern state farmers, who not only have to buy at a premium but pay for transportation as well. One NSW farmer said, however, that he had bought 3,000 head at Perth's Midland market "in bulk" and got them for just over $55 a head, including freight. The same deal from SA cost $80, he said.
Elders auctioneer Peter Tresize said the drought had not only added $10 a head to ewes, but will keep prices high for some months to come.
The Australian, 10/4/03, page 8.
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