Top buyers follow fast growth at Anna Villa

In the breakdown, 93 of 141 White Suffolks sold to $2300 twice, averaging $1045, while seven of eight Suffolks sold to $1300 twice, averaging $837.

Yet again, the Young family, River Park Farming, Butler’s Bridge, pursued the top price rams of the day, two White Suffolks offered in the first pen, to $2300 each.

Both May 2017-drops, one ram held breeding values of 10.4 weaning weight, 16.1 post weaning weight, 0.1 post fat, and 1.4 post eye muscle depth.

Its partner scored 189 on the Carcase Plus Index and 112.5 on the 2020 Index.

Wayne Young said they had bought at Anna Villa for many years and he looked for the “best ram of the sale” for his breeding program.

“It was a top quality pick - nice, big rams with good growth and weaning figures,” Mr young said.

Volume buyers included GP McDonald & Son, Bute, with 18 rams averaging $716; EA Dennis, Baroota, through Hill Livestock, bought 16 rams averaging $981; and PD PK&ED Barlow, through Elders Minlaton, bought six averaging $1266.

Each with five purchases was KD&KL Nitschke, through Elders Maitland; NR Gardner & Co, through Landmark Kadina; and BI&PA Stringer, Mandoora. 

Wonstrow Farming, bought five rams averaging $1140, which included the two top price Suffolks at $1300.

Continuing a new tradition, the Ferguson’s once again donated the proceeds of one ram to the Royal Flying Doctor Service, which sold to an early volume buyer DK&B Bagshaw, through Elders Maitland, for $1300, who added it to their draft of four rams, averaging $1275.

Landmark auctioneer Gordon Wood said while the clearance showed the signs of a tough season, Anna Villa retained loyal, local support throughout the sale.

“The performance data behind the sheep is enormous and the stud continues to produce big, fast growing rams,” he said.

The sale was conducted by Landmark and Elders with Gordon Wood and Tony Weatherill as auctioneers.