SALE SUMMARY
Dohne
2017 2016
Offered 61 48
Sold 54 45
Top $3600 $2500
Av $1028 $1286
Poll Merino
2017 2016
Offered 47 50
Sold 47 50
Top $3500 $3800
Av $1325 $1230
THE O’Brien Dohne and Poll Merino stud had solid results in its sixth annual auction at the Wudinna Showground on Thursday last week, selling to $3600.
Poll Merinos drew spirited bidding in particular, with full clearance of 47 rams, averaging $1325, which was $95 up on the previous year.
The top price Poll Merino went to Dan Vorstenbosch, Arunta Pastoral, Warramboo, at $3500. The 15-month-old ram weighed 123 kilograms, measured 142 on the Merino Production Plus index and was sired by Glenlea Park 012300. Its fleece measured 18.5 micron, 3.5 standard deviation, 19.0 coefficient of variation and 99.6 per cent comfort factor.
Mr Vorstenbosch bought from the O’Brien stud for the first time last year.
He said the size and staple of the ram he bought this year impressed him, along with its fast growth.
“It’s just a good, big, stylish ram that fits in well with the rest of our flock rams,” he said.
Mr Vorstenbosch had seen the sire at a RamSelect workshop held at the O’Brien’s property at Kyancutta and picked it out that day.
The top price at the O’Brien ram sale was $3600 for a 16-month-old Dohne.
It went to Paul and Helen May, Mayome Pty Ltd, Kyancutta, who were buying on behalf of their son Ashley May. The sire weighed 111 kilograms, measured 145.2 on the Dohne Index and was sired by Uardry 110353.
Its fleece measurements were 19.2 micron, 2.9 standard deviation, 15.3 coefficient of variation and 99.7 per cent comfort factor.
Volume Dohne buyers were TJ Patterson, Streaky Bay, with 13 to $1600, averaging $800, and RD&MJ Butcher, Polda, with eight to $1600, averaging $1000.
The sale was conducted by Landmark and Quality Livestock, with Landmark SA stud stock manager Gordon Wood auctioneering.
Mr Wood said it was a really good line-up of rams, especially considering the seasonal conditions.
“It’s a testament to the type of sheep they’re breeding, with positive fat cover and muscle, which enables them to carry the sheep through the tougher times,” he said.
Stud principal Darren O’Brien was happy with the sale result, especially considering how the season was travelling on the Eyre Peninsula.
“I’m really happy to have the rams looking good, with the season the way it is,” he said.
“With the breeding, I’m really looking for long-stapled, well-defined wool on rams with good eye muscle and fat cover.”