Figures lock-in top Suffolk ram

Michael Hancock, Lock, returned to Eyre Peninsula with four new rams from Curlew Valley Suffolk stud, Saddleworth.

The multi-vendor sale, which has been operating for 13 years, featured Stratford Suffolks, Curlew Valley Suffolks, Belmont Suffolks and Border Leicesters.

Principal Rachel Chirgwin said the ram had the highest Carcase Plus index of their sale team at 170.5.

He also measured 109.4 on the Lamb 2020 index and was by Burwood100013, a reserve champion at the Royal Adelaide Show a few years ago when the stud bought it for $8600.

Ms Chirgwin said the stud had focused on carcase traits, which was behind their decision to purcase the Burwood sire.

"The figures on these rams are the best I've had so far," she said. "Most of the sale team are positive for eye muscle depth. I've been selecting for eye muscle but not taking anything away from the carcase traits."

Mr Hancock said the exceptional figures were behind his decision to buy the four rams, grossing $3900, including the top price ram.

For Peter and Lesley Harrison, Stratford Suffolks, Springton, the sale was bittersweet.

Stratford started the sale 13 years ago, but has decided to disperse the stud, selling off the last of its rams.

Mrs Harrison said there were mixed feelings about the final sale.

"We've been breeding them a long time," she said. "It's good to see a lot of repeat customers."

The top price Stratford ram sold for $1100 to regular buyer Pluckrose Bros, Roseworthy.

"He's quite often bought our best rams over the years," Mrs Harrison said.

He was by a Letts stud sire and was a nice big, long meaty ram.

Stratford rams will still have a presence at the sale even if the stud is no longer there.

Many of the foundation stock for Curlew Valley Suffolks and Belmont Suffolks were bred from Stratford bloodlines.

Neil Kroehn, Belmont Suffolks and Border Leicesters, said the sale result was the opposite to last year, with all his Border Leicester rams cleared but the Suffolk market was a little tighter.

* Full report in Stock Journal, October 2, 2014 issue.