Koonawarra stud celebrated its 20th on-property auction at Angaston on Wednesday last week and equaled last year’s top price despite multiple buyers missing in action because of destocking their ewe flocks.
A strong lineup of 85 White Suffolk rams were offered, with 46 sold to a $2000 top, averaging $997.
For the second year in a row, the $2000 top price ram was sold to Andrew Blenkiron, Springton.
Sired by Wheetelande 148159, it had a Carcase Plus Index of 206.86.
Its Australian Sheep Breeding Values included a 12.3 weaning weight, 19.46 post-WWT and -0.9PW fat depth.
Mr Blenkiron said he consistently tried to select the top end of the rams.
“After six years of buying here, the rams have helped to put quality lambs on the ground for us year after year,” he said.
“They have the evenness and balance, as well as the dressing percentages we look for.”
The $1500 second-highest price ram was sold to Regari Pty Ltd, Tanunda.
That ram was sired by Bundara Downs 122261 and had the highest Carcase Plus Index of the draft at 217.64.
It had 12.3WWT, 19.52PWWT, -0.49PW fat and a 1.6PW eye muscle depth.
They also bought another ram at $1400, averaging $1450 across the two.
Stud principal Mark Grossman said the sale produced mixed results.
“The top end performed well which was a positive but we were lacking in buyer competition,” he said.
“A few of our major buyers were not attending because of not needing rams so that took the volume out of the sale.”
“But despite the season, buyers were still prepared to pay the top end price.”
The sale volume buyer was Boundrina, Reeves Plains, who secured seven rams to $1350, averaging $1081.
Roocke Partners, Saddleworth, bought four rams to $1000, averaging $800.
A draft of 24 Border Leicester rams were offered and sold, with the $1500 top price reached twice, and sold to Jackman Farming, Loxton.
One ram had a Carcase Plus Index of 123.2 and 10.1PWWT, -0.2PW fat and a 0.4PW eye muscle depth.
They secured five rams in total, averaging $1300.
Eagle Park Pastoral, Lyndoch, secured six BL rams to $1000, averaging $916.
Twelve White Suffolk stud ewes were also offered and all sold at $250 to AJ Prior, Hampden.
The sale was conducted by Landmark Gawler and Elders Roseworthy with Landmark stud stock’s Leo Redden and Elders stud stock’s Tom Penna sharing the auctioneer duties.
