IN LINE with the buoyancy of the lamb industry, strong bidding at the Hart family’s Glen Devon Poll Dorset stud’s annual on-property auction at Two Wells on Monday resulted in a total clearance of 100 rams to $2400, averaging $1537.
This was a big lift of $333 on last year’s result and was built on the back of strong commercial demand.
The gallery was dominated by repeat buyers from three states, along with a few new faces. But, such was the bidding strength of a key group of regulars that few others got a serious look in.
Brenton Lush and his son Nathan, Corriedale Hills stud, Inman Valley, came specifically to purchase lot 3, GD 170276, sired by Leenala 150007 and boasting a eye muscle area value of 2.2 and a Carcase Plus index of 200.3. To Brenton’s surprise, he was able to secure it with a $2200 bid, so he then bid to the sale top of $2400 for lot 5, GD 170361Tw by Derrynock 140015.
“Both these rams are very good for early growth, body length and the clean points that we are looking for, plus they offer different outcross bloodlines, so we are very happy to have picked up two rams within our budget range,” Brenton said.
Splitting them was GD 170379, sired by Kentish Downs 150467, the ram that carried the tri-coloured ribbon for junior champion ram at the Royal Adelaide Show. Michael Cook, Bsarma Farming, Minlaton took the impressive July 2017-drop ram home with a $2200 bid.
Mr Cook said he expected to have to pay a lot more and while he also had a bigger budget, no one was prepared to push him beyond commercial value.
Two strong regulars started their buying at the top end of the catalogue. Lloyd Mudge, Port Wakefield, bid to $2200 in picking up six top rams averaging $1470, filling his needs by lot 27.
Going one better was Jim Downer, Mt Beevor, Nairne, with seven rams to $2100, averaging $1871. Similarly, he finished his buying at lot 29.
Nanni DiGiorgio, S&R DiGiorgio, Lucindale, buying through Pinkerton Palm Hamlyn & Steen Naracoorte’s Robin Steen, started his buying account with lot 8 for $2000 and finished with the final lot in the catalogue at $1300. The DiGiorgio family has been a long-term supporter of the Hart family’s rams, and Mr DiGiorgio was once again the biggest individual buyer with 22 rams averaging $1655.
Keeping the strong bidding going was BR&C Ouyen agent Darren Old, Vic. Operating for four clients, Mr Old bought 34 rams in total, paying to $2000 and averaging $1435.
Bringing the third state into play was AWN Goulburn, NSW, agent Denis Hewitt, who secured six rams for three clients.
Long-term Glen Devon supporters Adam and Leanne Jamieson, Adalis Pastoral, Snowtown, successfully bid on 10 averaging $1260 in the auction and were then able to get the balance of their requirements from the stud’s private selection rams after the sale.
Glen Devon’s Lachlan Hart said the family was pleased with how the rams had presented, despite the tough season.
“We are exceptionally pleased with the level of support we have received today,” he said. “We never take that support for granted, but it is wonderful when we get an endorsement of our breeding program like we have today.”
“We have deliberately not joined the race to produce the highest figured sheep, but instead aim to produce functional, highly fertile and active sheep that offer higher performance with consistency and durability, ensuring buyers can get longer productive breeding life and value out of the rams they purchase.”
Landmark Clare and Elders Roseworthy conducted the sale, with Landmark’s Gordon Wood taking bids.
