Rices Creek holds its own

While it was the Vandeleur family's sixth annual on-property sale, it was just their second stand-alone sale after holding a joint sale at Bordertown for four years.

The move continued to pay off, with the top price of $4600 eclipsing last year's high of $4000.

Indicating the quality on offer, the first run of 13 rams averaged a staggering $2938.

Strong competition on the top end of the catalogue - six rams made more than $3200 - ensured 45 rams sold from 48 offered at a solid $1664 average.

Topping the day was lot 11, a 21.2-micron ram from a Rices Creek syndicate mating, with a standard deviation of 3M, 14.7 per cent co-efficient of variation and 99.4pc comfort factor.

The 112-kilogram ram was secured by Peter Fiegert, Poverty Corner, Ponde.

Graham Thiele, who bid on Mr Fiegert's behalf, said the ram appealed for its micron and other good figures.

"He's also nice and deep with soft white wool," he said.

Mr Fiegert secured four rams in total, averaging $1975.

Not to be outdone, lot 12 attracted spirited bidding before being knocked down for the second-top price of $4400.

The 21.3M ram, also from a syndicate mating, had 2.7SD, 12.7CV and 99.7CF.

Prosser Family Holdings, Tintinara, won the bidding on the ram after having a go on some of the sale's earlier lots.

Rounding out the top sales was a ram at $4200 to Glynnard Pty Ltd, Riverton, one at $4000 to J&J Keller Holdings, Coonalpyn, and one at $3800 to Stark Grazing, Naracoorte, which also took another at $3200.

Locals AJ&JM Zacker, Tintinara, were the sale's volume buyers with eight rams to $1700, averaging $1013.

Stark Grazing took four at a $2550 average, and Richardson Brothers, Tintinara, took the same number at a $1075 average.

With three rams each were LG Slape, Sherlock, averaging $2200; GA&AO Mickan, Coonalpyn, averaging $1500; and JK&SMM White, Clare, averaging $1400.

* Full report in Stock Journal, August 14, 2014 issue.