SALE SUMMARY
2019 2018
Offered 120 112
Sold 120 112
Top $6000 $5800
Av $2131 $
A lineup of "robust wool-producing" rams caught buyers' attention at Karawatha Park stud's 17th annual on-property sale at Kimba, with the stud achieving full clearance and a $6000 top price.
The stud increased its offering by eight this year, clearing 120 rams, for a $2131 sale average.
A ram sired by a syndicate of four, Leachim and Wallaloo Park-blood rams made the $6000 top price and was sold to repeat buyer of 10 years Shannan Larwood, Buckleboo.
Weighing 93.5 kilograms, it carried 16.4 for fibre diametre, 2.5 standard deviation, 15.3 per cent coefficient of variation and 100 per cent comfort factor.
The ram also recorded 151.3 on the dual-purpose plus index and 156.2 on the Merino Production plus index, with a 5.3kg yearling weight and 18.1pc yearling clean fleece weight.
Mr Larwood said he selected the ram because of its white, stylish wool with a long staple length.
"We changed to a six-month shearing two years ago, so when selecting rams, we focus on staple length to start with," he said.
"It was the ram's fibre measurements that were the most impressive to me and I believe figures do not lie."
Mr Larwood joins about 850 Merino ewes to Merino rams for six weeks in November for an April/May lambing.
Mr Larwood secured a further two rams, averaging $4866 across the three.
The $5000 second-highest price ram was bought by Pat Hannan & Co, Cockaleechie.
It weighed 87.5kg and carried fleece measurements of 18.1M, 3.1SD, 17.1CV and 99.9CF.
The ram also recorded 156.4 on the DP+ and 157.3 for MP+.
They secured a total of seven rams, averaging $3542.
Karawatha Park Poll Merino and Merino stud co-principal Dion Woolford said considering the season, he was "rapt" with the auction's result.
"After last year's result we had the depth to offer more rams this year and the sale was hot early," he said.
Mr Woolford described the top price ram as a "good all-rounder".
"That particular syndicate helped to put top-grade rams into the sale - we DNA tested the tops from that syndicate to see which ram was responsible for each ram," he said.
"It will provide increased accuracy from a figures point view and allow us to use the ram on its own."
Mr Woolford said maintaining the stud's breeding focus throughout a long period of time was "vital" for genetic progression.
"We have stayed true to our direction to benefit our clients," he said.
The sale volume buyer, Pandurra Pastoral, Port Augusta, put together an impressive draft of rams after securing 17 in total to $800.
River Park Farming, Port Pirie, operated at the top end of sale and secured six rams to $4400, averaging $3900.
LS&JM Newton Trust, Port Lincoln, bought eight rams to $2400, averaging $1312, while Hillsea Station, Port Lincoln, seven to $3000, averaging $1728.
Landmark stud stock's Gordon Wood said Karawatha's lineup this year showed the stud's ability to maintain a reputation for breeding "robust wool-producing" rams.
The sale was conducted by Landmark Kimba with Gordon Wood as auctioneer.
