ALTHOUGH averages were back on last year's exceptional Detpa Grove White Suffolk sale, the Pipkorn family again shone through with this year's sale result at Jeparit, Vic.
It was Ron and Barb, and David and Michelle Pipkorn's 25th annual White Suffolk sheep sale and over that time their Detpa Grove has continuously set benchmarks for quality, performance and prices.
Sale agent Elders' auctioneer Ross Milne said pre-sale: "I wouldn't have thought it possible that the Detpa Grove sheep quality could get any better, but when you inspect this offering, it is quite clear they have."
A crowd of 60-plus registered bidders and their connections attended or connected via the AuctionsPlus network.
In line with most sales around the country this year, stud competition was weaker, but the commercial producers maintained their buying strength.
The 37 stud rams, up six on last year, cleared to $16,000 - the same as last year.
There was not the sustained depth of top-end stud competition this year and 13 rams from this offering were picked up by astute flock ram buyers. The average dropped from last year's $5871 to a solid $3134.
The biggest drop over the two years was in the stud ewe result, where 39 of 67 ewes sold to $1000 averaging $514, an indication that the breed's expansion has slowed a little.
The commercial producers kicked-in just as strongly, taking 113 flock rams to $1800 averaging $979, just $20 less than last year.
While there was less stud competition, buyers who did not miss out were Steve and Ros Funke, Bundara Downs, Western Flat, and Ian and Donna Gilmore, Tattykeel, Oberon, NSW, who purchased the $16,000 top-price ram. They combined forces to purchase the ram, DG120213, an impressive son of DG110084 and boasting Lambplan figures of 17.11 for post-weaning weight, -0.94 for fat, 1.31 for muscle and a Carcase Plus index of 204. Max Whyte, WA was the underbidder via AuctionsPlus.
The biggest difference from the previous year's sale was that seven rams sold for more than $10,000 last year, whereas the $16,000 top was the only one above $10,000.
The next-best price was $6500 paid twice. One went to Clarrie Bell, a long-term local Detpa Grove supporter who purchased DG120580, an outstanding son of DG110059 and from an ET sister to Detpa Grove's great sire DG Storm Force.
The other was bought by Tim Jorgensen, Antwerp, Vic, who went home with DG120073, a big, powerful, well-muscled son of DG100313. He had earlier paid the $1000 top ewe price for an Anden 080276 daughter as his only ewe purchase.
Mark Williams, Lillimur, Vic, also a Detpa Grove regular, paid $6000 for DG120116, an extremely powerful and impressive son of Storm Force.
Anthony McDonald, Kuloomba Farming, Esperance, WA, picked up DG120647Tw, by Anden 080276Tw, also at $6000. With the money saved he was able to also buy DG120377 at just $3500, plus four ewes at $4000.
Bruce Buswell, Matilda Downs stud, Mount Barker, WA, who paid the equal $16,000 top last year, took a ram with outstanding breed type and structure at just $2750.
Paul Routley, Almondvale stud, Urana, NSW, was a strong stud bidder. With seven ewes from $400 to $700 he was the biggest volume ewe buyer. He added rams at $5500 and $3500.
* Full report in Stock Journal, October 17 issue, 2013.
