THERE was an increased top, average and clearance on White Suffolk rams at the 10th annual Kurrabi Park on-property ram sale at Koppio on Monday.
An average of $763 was achieved on the White Suffolks, a $43 rise on last year.
There were 19 White Suffolks sold out of 34 offered.
Elders agent Adam Briese purchased the top price White Suffolk ram at $1300 on behalf of new Kurrabi Park client Carinya Trust, Port Lincoln.
The ram, which was aged just under 12 months, weighed 74.5 kilograms. It measured in the top 10 per cent of the breed for post-weaning weight and had a Carcase Plus Index of 199.
With the Suffolks, there were 23 sold from 35 offered, averaging $615.
The top Suffolk ram made $1000 and sold to AP Casanova, Port Lincoln. It was 13 months old and weighed 86.5kg.
There were 16 registered buyers at the sale.
Volume buyers were AR&DA Arbon, Port Lincoln, purchasing six rams, and CD&JM Skinner, Coffin Bay, who took home five.
Another new buyer DJ Weiss, Tumby Bay, bought four rams.
Principal Mark Dennis said all the rams offered were paddock-reared and only shedded the night before the auction.
“It was good to see long-term clients returning, and new clients in the crowd, especially with the tough season in many areas of the Eyre Peninsula,” Mr Dennis said.
High fertility is a major focus for the stud, with close to 60pc of the rams offered coming from multiple births.
Co-principal Logan Dennis said growth and muscling were other major traits the stud focused on.
“We’re using Australian Sheep Breeding Values to drive our genetics forward,” he said.
The sale was conducted by Elders and Landmark, with Landmark’s Leo Redden auctioneering.
Mr Redden said there was great value buying at the sale, especially considering the number of rams that ranked from 190 to 205 on the Carcase Plus Index.
