Waratah hits $14k Elite Sale high

Waratah 130645, a June 2013-drop sire, was bought by the Osborne family's Ryeview stud, Millicent.

It was double the highest price Waratah principals Steve and Debbie Milne had sold a ram for, previously having had a stud top of $7000, also achieved at the Elite Sale.

Part of the Waratah team that won the lamb production trade class, the 124-kilogram ram had a 48-millimetre eye muscle depth and 9mm fat score.

Buyer Michael Osborne said the ram's impressive structure was a drawcard, as were its Australian Sheep Breeding Values.

"The ram had an ASBV for fat of -.03, which was as close to positive fat we could get in the type of sheep we are looking to breed," he said.

"We are looking to lift the fat scores in our flock to improve do-ability in our cold weather, and his growth ASBVs (9.3kg weaning weight and 14.8kg post-weaning weight) and EMD fitted us as well."

The Osbornes sold two semen packages to the underbidders – Days Whiteface, Bordertown, and Seriston Pastoral, Avenue Range – immediately following the sale.

Overall, a total of 27 rams sold from 57 offered across the three breeds, averaging $4870.

In the breakdown, 22 of 40 White Suffolk rams averaged $4931, four of 10 Suffolk rams sold to $6500 averaging $3875, and two of seven Poll Dorset rams sold to $10,000 averaging $7000

The $11,000 second-highest price of the sale was also a White Suffolk ram, sold by the Funke family's Bundara Downs stud, Bordertown. Bundara Downs 133546 was bought by Peter and Julie Button, Ramsay Park stud, Minlaton.

Mr Button said the ram first caught his eye at Sheepvention at Hamilton, Vic, last month, where it was sashed senior champion White Suffolk.

"The scale of the ram and its balance of ASBVs equate to a good overall animal," he said.

"He will be put out with our top ewes to consolidate that type of sheep within our flock."

* Full report in Stock Journal, September 11, 2014 issue.