ATTENDEES at the 15th annual Lawral Park on-property SAMM ram sale at Ungarra on Monday had the opportunity to pick up quality genetics at outstanding prices.
There was full clearance of 84 rams, but only 10 stayed on the Eyre Peninsula, with the majority of the sires heading interstate. There was also buying interest from the Upper North, Yorke Peninsula and South East.
An average price of $1100 meant buyers across a range of budgets were spoilt for choice.
The top price $2800 June-drop ram weighed 107 kilograms, with eye muscle depth of 45.5 millimetres, fat depth of 4.8mm and 22.2 micron wool.
It was knocked down to first-time buyer David Smith, Eudora SAMM stud, Nyngan, NSW.
“I like the ram’s conformation, its head, the way it stands up and its wool is good as well,” Mr Smith said.
Mr Smith said he had seen Lawral Park’s rams at the Royal Adelaide Show in the past and in The Land newspaper.
“I liked the look of the stud’s sheep, so I thought I’d come over and have a look,” he said.
“It’s good to get some new bloodlines in.”
Mr Smith also bought another ram at $1600, which was 105kg, with 45.6 EMD, 5.1mm fat and 22.2M wool.
He said there was plenty to like about the SAMM breed, particularly its dual-purpose traits.
“I find SAMMs have really good doing-ability and they’re also quicker to get to market,” he said.
Another new buyer at the auction was JP Davie & Co, Ouse, Tas, taking four rams to $1200, averaging $1000.
Also buying for the first time was Scott Speed, Cummins, with four rams to $1200, averaging $900.
Other new purchasers were TJ&KA Pietsch, Bordertown, who saw the stud’s rams at this year’s South East Field Days, and took home three rams to $1800, averaging $1400.
Return Lawral Park client Evan Fealy, Mount Ulva, Urana, NSW, was a volume buyer, taking eight rams to $2000, averaging $1200.
Mr Fealy has been buying from Lawral Park for the past four years and has been using SAMMs for more than 15 years.
“The stud we were buying from closed down, and we looked out east and couldn’t find what we were looking for, so decided to come across here,” he said.
Mr Fealy said there was plenty to like about the SAMM breed.
“We were Merino producers, but we really like the hardiness of SAMMs, they just do so well,” he said.
“With their dual-purpose traits, you’ve got both the wool and sheep job covered.
“The structure of the rams is good and the wool is getting better, so I really think SAMMs are the whole package.”
Buying the second-highest price ram at $2700 was another return client KJ Bittner & Sons, Curramulka.
It weighed 110 kilograms with 45 millimetre eye muscle depth, 6.1mm fat depth and 21.1 micron wool.
The same buyer also purchased another ram at $2400.
Wayne and Susan Robson, Jeparit, Vic, who have been buying from Lawral Park for a decade, purchased five rams to $2400, averaging $1480, while MA&JC Horne, Wharminda, bought three rams averaging $900.
Another regular client Adam Briese, Cummins, and his parents Steven and Val Briese, Yallunda Flat, bought three rams to $1000, averaging $900. The Briese family have been buying from Lawral Park for the past seven years.
Long-time buyers, siblings Ron and Sandra Shephard, Hurtlegrove Pastoral, Orroroo, took home six rams to $1300, averaging $1000.
NSW buyers included new client Kolanga Pastoral Co, Wagga Wagga, with three rams all at $1000; Trevor and Liz Penfold, Temora, five rams to $1200, averaging $1000; Steven Collwill, Ariah Park, four rams to $1200, averaging $1000 and Greg Quade, Trundle, NSW, five rams to $1500, averaging $1360.
The sale was conducted by Elders, with SA stud stock manager Tony Wetherall auctioneering.
Mr Wetherall said it was always a pleasure to attend the Lawral Park sale.
“The presentation here at Lawral Park is second to none when it comes to the SAMM breed,” he said.
“The line-up is very even, and the carcase, eye muscle depth and growth is exceptional.”
Mr Wetherall believed buyers had great opportunities for value buying at the sale.
“The average was back on last year but I believe return and new buyers would have been very happy with what they purchased,” he said.
Mr Wetherall said Lawral Park principal Campbell Lawrie was a great ambassador for the breed.
“No one is more passionate about the SAMM breed than Campbell,” he said.
Mr Lawrie said he knew this year’s sale would be tougher, particularly due to the hard seasonal conditions in many areas.
“We’re lucky to have built up a really good client base in NSW,” he said.
“It’s good to see our spread of clients, from northern NSW to Tas and everywhere in between.
“We’ve still got pastoral orders to fill and private selection from NSW and Vic clients.”
Mr Lawrie said the great value for money the sale offered meant many clients could pick up a few extra rams.
