THERE were three new bidders from across SA at the Hall family’s eight annual on-property Ulooloo Dohne ram auction at Hallett on Thursday last week.
Co-principals Rob and Greg Hall sold 47 May/June 2017-drop rams from 60 offered, for an average of $1272.
The top price ram made $3000 and its yearling weight and post weaning weight figures were in the top 15 per cent of the breed. Its Australian Sheep Breeding Values were 143.7 on the Dohne index, 5.6 for post weaning weight, 6.7 for yearling weight, 0.2 for post weaning eye muscle depth and 12.5 for yearling clean fleece weight.
Its fat depth was four millimetres and its eye muscle depth was 35mm.
The ram’s fleece was 20.1 micron, with 98.8 per cent comfort factor.
Buyer of the top price ram was Nick Schoenberg, Kilderry Park, Marrabel, who has been buying from Ulooloo since it started on-property sales eight years ago.
“The stud offers good dual-purpose sheep that meet the markets for meat and wool really well,” he said.
Mr Schoenberg said the top price ram stood out to him because of its wool quality and its large frame. He also purchased another ram at $1300.
A new buyer at the sale was also the volume purchaser. Tigmas Props, Yunta, bought nine rams to $1200, averaging $844.
Another new buyer came from the Eyre Peninsula, with NR Parsons, Kimba, taking home four rams to $1500, averaging $1150. The other new bidder was A Hrycek, Clare, with a ram at $1500.
Another major volume buyer on the day was AM,LM,NC&RM Sommerville, Hilltown, taking seven rams averaging $1557.
The Sommervilles also bought the second-highest price ram for $2900.
It was in the top 10pc of the breed on the Dohne index at 163.6, as well as being in the top 10pc for post weaning fat and PEMD.
Mid North buyers included PB&AH Jones, who bought two rams to $1300, averaging $1050; GL&B Hayes, Kybunga, five rams to $1700, averaging $1400; L&J Catt, Booborowie, one ram at $1900; Klem Farm Trust, Saddleworth, three rams to $800, averaging $733.
Avondale Props, Melrose, took five rams to $1200, averaging $1040 and Golden Slopes, Brady Creek, purchased three to $14600, averaging $1433.
Bin Bin Station, Tintinara, bought five rams to $2000, averaging $1620.
The sale was conducted jointly by Landmark Jamestown and Elders Burra, with Elders Jamestown livestock manager Jack Coleman auctioneering.
“Considering the conditions we’re going through, the line-up was a real credit to the Halls, especially the evenness throughout the sale,” he said.
“Ulooloo’s sheep get better and better every year.
“While there were a few station buyers that couldn’t come this year, there were a few new buyers that turned up, so it was still a good result for the stud.”
Co-principal Rob Hall said he was really happy with how the rams had come along in such a challenging season.
“The lambs that are on the ground are also performing really well in a tight season, which really shows their true colours,” he said.
Rob said the bare breech traits in the stud meant they had been able to cease mulesing in their commercial flock.
The stud is also trialling hearing twice a year.
Greg said the stud had a strong focus on ASBVs, which was leading to improvements every year, particularly in the fleece.
