Bids fly for Chesson Pk’s best

Mr Cass was pleased with crowd numbers, despite one volume buyer having to cancel plans to attend at the last minute.

Of the 120 rams offered, 93 sold at an average of $747.

White Suffolks scored well, with 72 of 84 selling for a $802 average, while 21 of 36 Suffolks averaged $561.

The top-price sire, a White Suffolk, was snapped up by Glen Hampel, GMR&J Nominees, Paruna, who said the ram stood out for his powerful shape.

Weighing 111 kilograms, the ram had an eye muscle area of 32.57 square centimetres, 45 millimetres eye muscle depth and 9mm fat.

Mr Hampel bought three White Suffolks for a $1150 average.

The Chesson Park regular said the stud's rams had been producing top quality lambs when mated with Merino ewes.

Mr Cass said the top sire was a born paddock performer.

"He's a good, safe ram - he'll breed a power of suckers," he said.

"He's also got great eye muscle width."

Mr Cass said a wet autumn and early winter had produced a feed bounty, and the results were reflected in the catalogue.

"I'm very happy with how the rams presented - last year's heaviest weight is this year's average," he said.

"It just shows what they can do when there's feed around."

Grant Jones, RK Jones & Co, Loxton, bought the top Suffolk for $750. He also paid to $1200 for five White Suffolks, at an overall average of $1058.

Hall and Cryer, Wunkar, secured 13 rams - eight White Suffolks and five Suffolks - to $700, av $630, while Peter Zadow, Bindmurra, Blanchetown, took three Whites and 10 Suffolks to $600, av $515.

Jachmann Farming, Loxton, bought five of each breed to $700, av $615.

* Full report in Stock Journal, September 18, 2014 issue.