Gowan Brae ‘even’ line reaches $2300

The sale reached a high of $2300, up $900 on last year, while 111 of 121 rams sold for an average $1197, up $125.

The top price was paid by Nanni DiGiorgio, Sterita Park, Lucindale, for lot 13, which had Lambplan figures of 13 for post weaning weight, -1.1 for PW fat, 1.4 for PW eye muscle depth and a CarcasePlus index of 186.

Mr DiGiorgio bought six rams in total, bidding at the top end of the catalogue, averaging $1617.

He said the line-up offered had been “very even”, with the top price ram an example of a “really great sheep”.

The sale catalogue began with the sale of one stud ram, which had figures of 13.4PWWT, -1.2Pfat, 1.2PEMD, and 186.5 CarcasePlus index, bought by Michael and Raelene Wallis, Netherly, Wattle Range, for $1800. 

The sale's volume buyer was Scott and Julie Clarke, Woomera Homestead, Furner, with 16 rams to $1600, averaging $1181.

Their lot included lot 50, at $1600, which had been set as a donation ram to the Millicent Cancer Support Group.

Sunray Pastoral, Hatherleigh, bought 12 rams to $1500, averaging $1133.

Lance and Jenny Skeer, Furner, bought eight rams to $1400, averaging $1100.

John Considine, Mount Gambier, secured seven rams to $1500, averaging $1329, while Kay Gard, Furner, took seven to $1200, averaging $1000.

Gowan Brae stud principal Leigh Clifford said the combination of new and repeat buyers had helped strengthen the sale.

“A couple of new buyers put a bit of strength in the top end, which was pleasing to see,” he said.

The regular buyers topped up numbers in the middle run and back end.

“There was good value for money at the end of the sale.”

He said the lift in average price was “very pleasing”.

Mr Clifford said next year’s draft would include the offspring of two new sires – a Zacman ram, bought privately at the Royal Adelaide Show, and a Ulandi Park ram.

“They’re both high Lambplan rams, which will help boost the figures for next year’s draft,” he said.

“Their progeny are looking excellent.”

The sale was conducted by Landmark Millicent, with Landmark stud stock’s Gordon Wood and Richard Miller sharing the auctioneering duties.