GOOD repeat support helped Balmar White Suffolks lift its average and top price to the highest achieved in its three-year on-property sale history at Barunga Gap on Monday.
The sale reached $1850 for lot 9, paid by long-time clients JM&KF Brittain, Myponga, who had been buying Balmar rams for many years. The Brittains bought three rams in total, averaging $1100.
The ram had a weaning weight of 11.5, post weaning weight of 17.3 and Carcase Plus Index of 191.5.
Its grandsire was the 2014 Royal Adelaide Show champion White Suffolk ram and supreme exhibit, bought by Balmar in a syndicate for $8500 at the Elite Sale.
Stud principal Brendan Ebsary said that line had performed well, with most of the progeny within the top 5 per cent for growth among terminal sires.
He said they had retained semen rights for lot 9 to be used within the stud and elsewhere.
“It’s a ram that stood out from the start,” he said.
The sale had 24 of 34 rams sold for an average $752.
Mr Ebsary said their offering was down this year, with an unusual number of ewe lambs born last season, and the sale was missing some pastoral support, due to the tough season.
But he was pleased to reach a new high for top price and sale average and expects numbers to be back about 50 to 60 next year.
Volume buyer was Winnowie Props, Kadina, with six rams at $700, while RW&DH Joyce, Wandearah East, bought five rams to $1050.
Elders’ auctioneer Matt Ward said the tough sale was as expected, given the seasonal conditions, but it was pleasing to record a new stud record high.
Elizabeth Anderson
Editor of Stock Journal.
Editor of Stock Journal.
