STUD pig breeders from near and far came together at the Forbes Stud Pig Sale at Bedgerabong Showground today, to offer a new line up of interesting genetics.
A total clearance of 37 pigs averaged $845. In the breakdown eight boars sold to a $1800 top, twice, and averaged $1131, while seven mated gilts sold to a $1250 top and $979 average and 21 unmated gilts sold to a $1200 top, to average $731.
Two boars in particular created spiritted bidding, each hitting the top price of $1800 in the sale ring.
The first was Gumshire Dictator G2223, a Large White boar, offered by MC. and ML. Blenkiron, Gumshire, South Australia, and snapped up by Kevin McMahon, Pine Park, Tullamore, for $1800.
By Gunshire Dictator D2001 from Gunshire Jeweless D749, the rising seven-month-old boar weighed 99.2 kilograms at 136 days with an average daily weight gain (ADG) of 0.729kg and back fat (P2) of nine millimetres.
Mr McMahon, who has purchased from the Gumshire stud for the past five or six years, said the boar had the length and growth he was looking for - "he is a good overall pig".
Also making $1800 was Jeff Doolan's purchase for Hurlstone Agricultural High School, Pinedock Louis G1056, a Large White boar offered by C. and G. Dockrill, Pinedock, Casino.
"From a carcase winning line" the equal sale-topper was by Pinedock Louis D102 and from Pinedock Jewel D12, and weighed 117kg at 156 days for a ADG of 0.750kg and 9mm P2 fat.
Hurlstone Agricultural High School farm manager Mr Doolan said it was the amount of meat in him that was so impressive.
"We have been coming out here for the last three years, and we were looking for different genetics today so that's what we went after," Mr Doolan said.
"I was looking for a boar, and he was the one I chose and I had to buy him."
The best exhibit of the show, that received the Wayne Reid in appreciation trophy in memory of the late Wayne Reid who played an integral part in keeping the pig industry alive particularly in the Forbes area, was a Landrace gilt called Gumshire Princess G921, who was also the $1250 top-priced mated gilt.
She was secured by Kyeran Steenbergen of Young, who returned for the second time to purchase from the sale that has been running since 2015.
Also purchased by Mr Steenbergen was Gumshire Mona Lisa G2272 the top-priced unmated gilt of the sale for $1200. Offered by MC. and ML. Blenkiron from South Australia, the unmated gilt sale-topper was a Large White.
The purchasers of the top-priced boar and top-priced sow each receive 10 doses of semen sponsored by Future Pork.
The sale was conducted by VC Reid and Son, Forbes, with agent Scott Reid taking bids as the auctioneer.
- Read the full report in this week's issue of The Land.