The highest yardings for the year were in January and February, with the large January penning the only yarding in the year that was higher than the seven-year average.

In contrast, the months of April and May had the two smallest yardings on record, with producers opting to hold onto stock due to the cheaper store sheep market in the previous month and the sense that there would not be adequate numbers of store sheep available during the upcoming winter.

In fact, there were no wethers sold at all during April and May, highlighting the genuine sheep shortage in central and western NSW during mid to late autumn.

Winter numbers were also seasonally low and it wasn’t until the high prices during October and the inclusion of the spring Narromine First Cross Breeders Association sale that prompted more numbers forward.

This coincided with some good rain in the central west, which meant the original draw of numbers was not met. Nonetheless, a very good quality offering came forward, signifying the beginning of strong restocker sheep prices that continued on for the remainder of spring.