SALE SUMMARY
Stud rams
2018 2017
Offered 12 10
Sold 12 10
Top $14,500 $8750
Av $6688 $5150
Flock rams
Offered 174 144
Sold 174 144
Top $4500 $4000
Av $2411 $1915
BIDDING reached fever pitch at Coolawang Border Leicester stud’s annual on-property sale on Thursday last week at Mundulla with a total clearance and sensational $2411 flock ram average.
This came despite stud principals Trevor, Judy and Lachie James lifting their offering by 30 rams.
It was reward for the outstanding lineup with the final lot of the day, Lot 193, still making $1500.
Buyers were also swarming around the stud lots during pre-sale inspection and breeders from three states were successful.
Three stud rams offered by Trevor, Judy and Lachie James made five figures to a $14,500 high and all 12 rams averaged $6688- up $1500 on last year.
Lot 1, Coolawang 329/17, the 2018 Royal Adelaide Show interbreed longwool champion, kicked the sale off with a bang selling to the Sutton family, Wattle Farm, Temora, NSW, in partnership with NZ stud Westmere, Ashburton, for $10,000.
The August 2017-drop, twin born ram will go into the AI centre at Deniliquin, NSW, with semen to be collected and exported across the Tasman.
The ram caught Westmere stud principal Mark Copeland’s eye when he judged at the Adelaide Border Leicester feature show last month.
Mr Sutton, who has physical possession, said the ram had a “great outlook” with sire appeal, proven bloodlines and a quality fleece of wool.
“It still has its lamb’s teeth so it has incredible growth for age,” he said.
Lot 3, part of the stud’s winning sires progeny group in Adelaide also made $10,000.
It was knocked down to SDM Brown, Glamis stud, Bedgerabong, near Forbes, NSW, – the buyer of Coolawang’s 2017 top priced ram.
But, the best was still to come with Craig and Deb Graham, Glencorrie stud, Maitland, snapping up Lot 4, Coolawang 97/17, the reserve junior champion ram from Adelaide.
Mr Graham said the ram’s appeal was its outcross genetics, also sired by Glenlea 11/15, as well as its structural correctness and positive eye muscle figure of 0.4.
The Grahams who run their stud flock at Middle River on Kangaroo Island also bought the Australian record priced ram from Coolawang for $18, 200 in 2013.
“We never mind buying the best – it is always a good investment,” Mr Graham said.
Broad ribbons adorned the rostrum and around the sale ring but it was the James family’s commercial success and outstanding track record at the Naracoorte first cross ewe sales that had many of the 55 registered bidders raising their hands high.
Simon and Susie Pocock, Pocock Pastoral, Lameroo and Kybybolite,dominated the bidding with 34 rams to $ for a $2975 average.
The first cross ewe specialists,who will offer 2500 Border Leicester-Merino ewe lambs at the Naracoorte sale in November, were impressed by the “sheer size” of the rams on offer,which will help them breed high growth prime lamb mothers.
They were also drawn to Coolawang with their focus on improving wool quality which has become important with high wool prices.
Long-time client Greg Fisher, Clover Ridge, Marcollat, put together 17 rams for a $2500 average, while Lachie Grundy, Lake Roy, secured 16 rams averaging $2069.
New clients Robbie Neal and Deb Hunt, Kingston, bought 15 rams for a $2027 average.
Trevor James said he was “overwhelmed” and humbled by the result and said it was great to see confidence buyers had bidding throughout the catalogue.
‘We thought it was our best line-up for type with quality all the way through and we appreciate most of our clients who have been with us a long time stepping up,” he said.
“The realisation going forward is that the lamb price is going to be sustained with $8/kg for February (next year) so the good money will be around for some time.”
“Buyers are recognising they need to spend the equivalent amount for rams they buy whatever the breed.
Trevor said they would increase their offering again in 2019 to meet the strong demand.
Elders auctioneer Tony Wetherall said Coolawang was at “the top of the tree” both as stud breeders, highlighted by their success at the recent feature showing, and as flock ram suppliers with Coolawang blood progeny highly sought after in the marketplace.
“They have been breeding first cross ewes for 40 years and while they have nationwide stud interest they are also commercially orientated,” he said.
“People are here because of the performance of the genetics, people want to source quality.”