Hanookra Borders to $1800

The sale kicked off with free-flowing bidding for the well presented rams, but as buyers gradually filled their orders prices dropped to $600 to $800. 

Rodney and Tracey Willmott, Woolumbool sold 43 of 53 August and September 2015 drops to a $1800 high twice with all rams selling within a 70 kilometre radius.

Elders auctioneer Jody Darcy urged the gallery of buyers to consider the buoyant lamb prices and expected jump in first cross ewe prices in their bidding, saying it was “exciting times” for the rural sector.

The catalogue included many high-indexing rams  in the top 5-10 per cent of the Border Leicester breed.

TH&YA Correll, Woolumbool bought two of the highest performance rams in the catalogue at $1800 and $1700 with Border $ indexes of 127.3 and 125.8 respectively. They were sons of Hanookra 11-7.

PG McCallum Farm Trust, Naracoorte bought another son of Hanookra 11-7 for the equal top price at Lot 8.

Two buyers secured five rams each.

 Anthony Foster, GR Foster & Co, Bool Lagoon bought his five for an $1180 average, while DH&HJ Williamson, Joanna averaged $900 for their buys.

Mr Willmott said it was strong start to the sale but they needed another couple of bulk buyers to match last year’s total clearance. “Most people were fussy with what they bought but hopefully would have been pretty happy.”

“We know we won’t get all our old clients in the one year so any new clients are a bonus. We had four this year in a year we needed them which was pleasing,” he said.

Mr Willmott was pleased with the consistency of the sale rams and said the stud was focusing on putting more genetic fat on their sheep while retaining early growth and frame. “After the seasons we have been having everyone needs easy doing sheep.”