Even though 1.5-year-old ewes were up to $10 dearer than recent South Australian sales, their outstanding quality still made them excellent buying.

Leading the way was the $129.50 paid for a line of 134 magnificent, long-body ewes presented by John and Bridget Steer - ewes by South African Meat Merino rams and from Lines Gum Hill-blood Merino mothers.

They were knocked down to Ray Pryse, Walpeup, Vic operating through Landmark Ouyen, Vic, a repeat Lameroo buyer.

Not far behind was the $128.50 paid by Rodwells Keith a/c Sporn for 92 July shorn ewes, Dalveen blood, from Ridgway Props.

First-up was a draft of 280 ewes of medium-frame forwarded by GT Pocock & Son. These Lines Gum Hill blood youngsters went at $103 to Southern Australian Livestock Bordertown for Brian Kester, Naracoorte.

Bruce Pocock and family's 375 Lampata blood, very even ewes sold for $125 to Elders Roseworthy, for Keith and Dudley Koch, Lyndoch, who will mate them to Poll Dorsets. They paid the $126 top at last year's Lameroo off-shears.

* Extract from a full report in Stock Journal, October 16 issue.