Rices Creek hits $8800 top

In all 125 rams from 130 sold under the hammer for an average $2293 – up $58 from last year – with a further two sold shortly after the conclusion of the auction.

The top price was paid for lot 14 – a son of Collinsville Imperial 20, which was bought by Rices Creek in 2016 for $32,000.

The twin ram weighed 114 kilograms with a fleece measuring 18.4 microns, 3.1 standard deviation, 16.8 coefficient of variation and 99.7 per cent comfort factor.

It also had a greasy fleece weight of 126pc against the remainder of the drop, a yearling weight of 110pc, eye muscle depth of 38.4 millimetres and cfat of 6.9mm.

Buyers Peter Stockman jnr and Alex Stockman, Springvale North, Burra, said they had specifically come down to have a look at the offspring of Imperial 20.

“We were chasing a ram out of that family,” Peter said.

They said the ram was one that stood “proud” and square, with white, crimpy wool.

Alex said the figures on the ram also appealed.

“It will fit into our program, for what we need,” Peter said.

“It ticks all the boxes.”

Alex said it was also a good chance to see a large number of rams out of that sire, to gauge its performance.

A second Imperial 20 son, also a twin, sold for $7600, to JW&PJ Bowden, via Elders Riverton.

That ram weighed 122kg, with 18.7m, 2.8SD, 15CV, 99.7CF, 132GFW, 127YWT, 43.1EMD and 6.1cfat.

Rices Creek principal James Vandeleur, Saddleworth, said the Imperial 20 sons were a feature of this year’s drop with about 70 offered across the Saddleworth and Tintinara auctions.

“It’s had a real impact on our stud,” he said.

Mr Vandeleur said the sale had a “great result”.

“It was expected to be back a bit because of the tough season, but there was pretty good buying throughout the sale at all price brackets,” he said.

“It was pleasing to have a few new buyers who are looking at our dual-purpose sheep.”

Landmark auctioneer Leo Redden said the line-up was made up of bold, positive testing wools throughout the catalogue.

He said there were two or three rams sold as stud sires.

“They were outstanding dual-purpose sheep,” he said.

New buyer Lake Hawdon, Kingston, bought 16 rams to $4400, averaging, $2975, in addition to 12 rams bought at the Tintinara sale earlier this month.

Regular buyers Walmona Pastoral, Truro, bought 13 rams to $3400, averaging $1992.

Hagger Partners, Jamestown, bought 10 rams to $1600, averaging $1290.

Other major buyers included Ryelands Partners, Tarlee, with six rams to $3000; LR&JB Hampel & Sons, Kapunda, with six rams to $4600; GA&DJ Giddings, Cummins, with five rams to $2600; Francis Capowie, Quorn, with five rams to $1200; CD&JG Sampson, Warramboo, with five rams to $2600; and GR&CE Finlay, Quorn, with five rams to $1600.

There were 48 registered buyers.

The sale was conducted by Landmark and Quality Livestock, with Mr Redden sharing the gavel with Quality Livestock’s Simon Seppelt.