White River rams rewarded

A superb line-up of 79 Merinos and 105 Poll Merinos showing great growth for age and most with bodyweights well above 100 kilograms, plus excellent medium wools, were penned for sale.

A good crowd, including 47 registered bidders, most long-term loyal clients, appreciated the quality on display, and under the auctioneering of Elders' Craig Shearer and Landmark's Gordon Wood, bid freely to ensure a total clearance.

The 184 rams sold to $11,000 averaging a solid $1871, again making it one of the top sales in the state and up $143 on last year's White River sale.

In effect it was a sale with two stories - extremely strong at the top end and outstanding value for the volume buyers in the last two-thirds of the offering - catering for all buying budgets.

The $11,000 top was paid by Paul Carey, Talieka Pastoral Co through Elders Streaky Bay, with just one bid for a Merino judged Eyre Peninsula Hogget Ram of the Year at Wudinna in June. This impressive later-drop youngster was sired by Collinsville Coronation 558.

Although there had been higher top prices at some White River sales, it was doubtful there had been a stronger start - the first 10 averaged $6800 and the first 20 averaged $5385.

The top-price Poll Merino at $7000 paid by Nick Lienert, Oak Farms stud, Kimba, was a son of the $32,000 Ridgway ram bought by White River and nicknamed Kulkami.

With classic and well-defined 21.4M wool, this ram was one of three top rams Nick took at a $4333 average, the other two being Merinos.

Brenton Paech, Brenalta stud, buying through Elders Cummins bid $6000 to secure the first Poll Merino offered, a son of Nyowee L134.

Value was clearly evident when the evenness of the overall offering was taken into consideration - 76 rams or 41 per cent of the offering sold for $1000 or less, while a staggering 76pc of the offering sold for $2000 or less.

* Full report in Stock Journal, August 28, 2014 issue.