WYE stud at Mount Gambier achieved a storybook ending to its 40 years of breeding Corriedales with a total clearance at its final-stage dispersal sale in Auctions Plus on October 7.
Stud principals Jan and Tony Hunt received strong support from new and established Vic and SA studs for their 2013-drop ewes on the back of a highly successful swansong showing at the 2014 Royal Adelaide Show.
Two 2013-drop rams sold to a $3000 high and averaged $2250, and 28 ewes sold to a $600 high and averaged $287.85.
The $3000 sale topper was Wye X Factor 130032 - their champion Corriedale and champion long-wool ram from Adelaide.
The 28.7-micron ram weighing 94.5 kilograms with an eye muscle depth of 41 millimetres and fat depth of 7mm sold to Milton Savage, Gambier View stud, Bradvale, Vic.
The $600 top-price ewe with fleece measurements of 22.3M - it won the March-shorn ewe class at Adelaide - sold to TB White & Sons, Ballarat, Vic account Maddern.
They bought six ewes as foundation breeders for a new stud.
The champion Corriedale ewe, 26.1M, sold for $575 to Tim and Jodie Barry near Clunes, Vic. They bought another ewe and the $1500 ram.
Volume buyers included Charles and Toni-Anne McLennan, Cobden, Vic, with three ewes.
Jan Hunt said the interest shown in their sheep had been overwhelming.
"The challenge of breeding good sheep and the people you meet have just made it a wonderful few years," she said.
Earlier this year, Wye offered its 2010, 2011 and 2012-drop ewes with a total clearance to three states and $728 top price.
Catherine Miller
Stock Journal's livestock editor and South East correspondent.
Stock Journal's livestock editor and South East correspondent.
