A FARMING highlight was achieved by Des O’Donoghue last week.
The Kamarooka North farmer topped the weekly Bendigo sheep and lamb market with his offering of crossbred ewes.
More than 100 September shorn suckers averaged $300 while a second pen fetched $298.
“I was very happy with how they were presented ... hadn’t had the top price before so that’s a box that harrs been ticked,” said Des of his offering through FP Nevins and Co.
“They were only shorn in September and then freshened up on some lucerne in creek country before sending them to market.
“They were only about eight months old and had no shortage of feed since shearing,” said Des who farms on the edge of the Loddon Shire.
He said rain in the days before market meant challenging conditions to yard the sheep before ther 42km drive to the saleyard.
“I get some help from a few family members. It turned out to be worth battling through the rain,” Des said.
The September shearing saw most of Des’s flock go under the clippers.
“I already had the ewes in for shearing and decided to have the lot done. It can be difficult to get shearing teams back a second time so it made sense,” he said.
Den runs crossbred sheep and cattle on his Kamarooka North property. “I am only in a small way compared to others ... about 400 sheep at the moment.”
“Rams I buy from the Boyd brothers at Mitiamo are used in breeding on the farm.
Meanwhile, shearing school dates for Shearing Contractors’ Association of Australia Shearer Woolhandler Training in 2025 were released last week.
An improver course will be held over five days at Inglewood in June while Wedderburn’s annual school will run in September. The courses align with national qualifications.
The association says course graduates are highly sought after due to the high level of training, leading to excellent employment outcomes.
Agriculture
Sheep market topper: a box is ticked
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