THIRTEEN proved lucky for some, when the 13th annual on-property ram sale at Lawral Park reached a new record top price and average.
The sale saw the top price jump to $7500, up from the previous record top, set last year, of $5800, while the average also jumped $135 to $1692.
Stud principal Campbell Lawrie said he was “wrapt” with how the sale performed, including sales to four studs.
There were also four new clients at the sale, while rams sold to four states; WA, NSW, Vic and throughout SA.
Ross and Pauline Taylor, Tiarri Prime SAMM, Lake Grace, WA, returned to the sale and paid top price for a 125 kilogram, 15-month-old, twin ram.
The ram measured an eye muscle depth of 50.3 millimetres, a fat score of 5.1 and a 21.4 micron.
It was out of a South African dam, introduced to Australia through embryo transfer, and was part of the Lawral Park show team at the Australian Sheep and Wool Show at Bendigo, Vic, last month, where it won its milk tooth class.
Mrs Taylor said it was part of a particular type of bloodlines they were after and presented with good figures.
Mr Taylor said the ram present with good wool type, muscling and was structurally sound.
Tiarri Prime SAMM mate 1000 ewes and hold an annual sale of 100 rams.
The Taylors had previously bought at Lawral Park two years prior, with that ram a success for their stud.
Mr Lawrie said the ram “had a star on it” from a very early age.
“He’s been good all the way through,” he said.
“He’s got quick growth rates and good structure.”
The second highest price was also paid for a ram bound for WA.
Graham Moir, Glenelg Stud, Amelup, WA, paid $7000 and said this sale was an opportunity to widen the genetic pool at his stud.
“We can build another line and it gives us opportunities to outcross," he said.
The 108kg ram was the last of a particular South African bloodline, with his sire introduced to Australia through embryo transfer.
It had a 46.2EMD, 7.3 fat and 22.3M.
“It’s good structurally, and is a good meaty sheep,” Mr Moir said.
Glenelg Stud is made up of 300 ewes, with Mr Moir traditionally breeding rams for his own purposes before deciding to try breeding for others.
The ram was also exhibited at Bendigo, where it won its class for SAMM wool and was beaten by another Lawral Park ewe that went on to be Supreme Exhibit.
“It’s got exceptional wool quality for a SAMM,” Mr Lawrie said.
“And there is plenty of carcase.
“It’s what we are wanting to breed.”
Mr Lawrie said the ram was quite unique in terms of its bloodlines
Volume buyers are KVG&A Turner, via Broken Hill, NSW, who bought 10 rams, Hurtlegrove Pastoral Company, Orroroo, bought eight rams, as did RD&M MIller, Ceduna, while Greg Quade, Dubbo, NSW, bought seven.
The four remaining rams were quickly snapped up following the auction.
The sale was conducted by Elders Tumby Bay with auctioneer Tony Wetherall.