SALE SUMMARY
2017 2016
Offered 300 300
Sold 300 300
Top $18,000 $11,000
Av $2047 $1707
FULL clearance and an average well up on last year were achieved at the Brooks family’s annual East Bungaree Poll Merino and Merino on-property sale at Hallett on Tuesday last week.
A whopping 300 rams were offered and sold, with more sold after the sale.
The average of $2047 was $340 up on the previous year.
A top price of $18,000 was also well up, by $7000, on last year.
Sheep classer and consultant Courtney Sutherland, Wagin, WA, bought the top price ram on behalf of Will Roberts, Victoria Downs Poll Merino stud, Movern, Qld.
It was the first time Victoria Downs had bought from East Bungaree, with the stud underbidders at the sale last year.
The top price ram was sired by Otto, and Mr Sutherland said Victoria Downs was chasing sons of this sire in particular.
“The stud has been looking for sires with the make and shape that East Bungaree has, and also the wool cut,” he said.
“They’re very good doing sheep, with beautiful thickness and the early maturity that the market is chasing.”
Mr Sutherland said the top price ram stood out because it was “just an all-round excellent type”.
The Poll Merino weighed a whopping 125 kilograms at 15 months of age.
Its fleece was 21.7 micron, with 3.2 standard deviation, 15.9 coefficient of variation and 99.1 per cent comfort factor.
Two buyers purchased joint second-highest price rams at $8000.
Lucerne Park Poll Merinos, Booborowie, bought a son of Otto weighing 120kg. Its fleece was 20.8M, 3SD, 14.3CV and 99.4CF.
All up, the stud bought three rams averaging $4600.
Braebrook, Saddleworth, bought a son of Regal 271 weighing 123kg for $8000. Its fleece was 22.1M, 3.5SD, 17CV and 99CF. The same buyer also purchased another ram at $3200.
The major volume buyer was Wartaka Pastoral, via Port Augusta, with 30 rams to $1600, averaging $1260.
Not far behind with 29 rams was Blore Pastoral Trust, Mundi Mundi, NSW, to $2800, averaging $1779.
Other volume buyers included D&S Shannon, Kapunda, with 19 to $1900, averaging $1589; Prill Park Pastoral Company, Euston, NSW, 16 to $2600, averaging $2325; Nelyambo, Cobar, NSW, 16 to $1800, averaging $1350; and Kanyaka Props, Hawker, 11 to $2000, averaging $1645.
Pastoral bidders included Dalwoodman Pastoral, via Wentworth, NSW, with eight to $2100, averaging $2012; Top Hut Banoon Pastoral Co, via Pooncarie, NSW, 10 to $2400, averaging $2020; and Corunna Pastoral, via Port Augusta, five to $2000, averaging $1900.
New buyer Zetco Pastoral Enterprise, Walgett, NSW, bought 10 rams to $3000, averaging $1950.
Mid North clients bidding near the top of the catalogue included Balah Nominees, Burra, with two to $5250, averaging $3537, and RG&DA Hotchin, Peterborough, two to $5000, averaging $1800.
Buyers also came from the Riverland, Murraylands and West Coast regions.
East Bungaree’s Tony Brooks was extremely pleased with the sale result.
Mr Brooks said it was East Bungaree’s consistency and productivity that was setting it apart.
“People buying our sheep know they are going to perform,” he said.