* 60 ewes of 94 sold to $2700, av $773
Genetics from leading Nhill White Suffolk stud Detpa Grove are continuing to influence the sheep meat industry, with new studs buying breeding ewes at the property's ewe sale.
Stud principal David Pipkorn said he was fairly pleased with the outcome of the tenth bi-annual mated ewe sale, given the conditions.
"There was a larger crowd than previous sales, and bidders were active on Auctions Plus," Mr Pipkorn said.
"I'm pleased with the result.
"It was solid enough, and ewes went far and wide, up to Tamworth (NSW) and across to Angaston (SA)."
He said what was pleasing was buyers from new studs, who were just starting up, and seeking a solid and diverse base for their breeding programs.
"A lot of the major studs have kicked off with our genetics, in past years, and it's good to see new studs starting off and helping the industry develop," Mr Pipkorn said.
The top-priced ewe was one of four "pick of the pair" 2015-16 drop animals, due in June, offered at the start of the sale.
Mr Pipkorn said buyers were able to pick one of the two ewes on offer, with the other being retained in the stud.
"It gives a bigger selection for the buyers, and we don't lose too many top ewes, from the stud," Mr Pipkorn said.
Buyers were shy of undetectable scans, for the end of July, or August drop lambs.
"Historically we have only ever had three to five per cent dry, and lambing rates come in at 160 plus per cent," Mr Pipkorn said.
Ellie McDonald purchased the top-priced ewe for the Hopea stud, Dadswell's Bridge
The ewe, lot 3A had a birthweight of 0.44kilograms, a post-weaning weight of 15.45kg, a post-weaning fat of -1.02 millimetres and post weaning eye muscle depth of 1.2mm.
It has been mated to Somerset 160067
Ms McDonald said the ewe had given birth to five lambs and would give birth again in June.
"She was obviously the best ewe of the sale," Ms McDonald said.
"She is a big upstanding ewe and had a huge carcase on her," Ms McDonald said.
"If she is going to have a ram lamb, it's going to be a good one."
The ewe showed the characteristics of the breed which many producers were looking for.
Hopea was running 140 White Suffolks and 110 Suffolks, and it was likely the ewe would be part of an embryo transfer, later this year.
The second top priced ewe was purchased by Mark and Luke Stass, Gunnawanna Pastoral, Piallamore, NSW.
Hannaton stud, Kaniva, was the volume buyer, with Jonno, Edwina and Jemima Hicks buying 13 ewes.
Mr Pipkorn said Mr Hicks had made astute purchases, picking up some of the higher performance and quality ewes at below the sale average.
Elders Ross Milne said it was a very satisfying sale, given climatic conditions.
Bidders showed a preference for scanned in lamb ewes, rather than relying on visual inspection.
"They are excellent genetics, and people are breeding for the future, not for now," Mr Milne said.
Andrew Miller
I'm a general reporter with Stock & Land, with a special interest in irrigation issues. I completed my cadetship, with the Age, in 1980. Over my career, I've worked for ABC radio news (Mt Isa, Qld) and at provincial and suburban newspapers.
I'm a general reporter with Stock & Land, with a special interest in irrigation issues. I completed my cadetship, with the Age, in 1980. Over my career, I've worked for ABC radio news (Mt Isa, Qld) and at provincial and suburban newspapers.
