New volume buyer boosts EP Suffolk sale

Of the combined offering from Seaton Park and White Flat studs, 56 rams were sold out of 69 offered, topping at $1400 and averaging $905.

Thirteen of those rams were knocked down to Koomaburra Trust, who averaged $665 and bid to $950.

Hayley Wake, Koomaburra Trust, said she was impressed with the eye muscle growth of the rams on offer. This is her first year back in crossbred lamb production since 2016, and she has invested in scanned in lamb merinos and is restocking with rams ready for next season.

Other volume buyers included repeat clients LM&RJ Kenny, Elliston, who bought 10 rams to $1200, averaging $990, and Zaroma Pty Ltd, Port Kenny, who bought nine to $1000, averaging $805.

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The top price was achieved by lot 6, for a 120-kilogram June 2018-drop Seaton Park ram bought by Len Kelsh, Glendale Pastoral, Port Kenny, on behalf of Venus Plains, Port Kenny, for $1400. The ram had a fat depth of 5.6 millimetres and an eye muscle depth of 45.7mm.

Lot 10 attracted the second-highest price of the sale, going for $1300 to Boulder Pastoral, Port Kenny, who secured the 112kg July 2018-drop ram for $1300, which had a 6.4mm fat depth and 46.2EMD.

Seaton Park stud principal Andrew Bates said bidders came from across the state for the sale, with some repeat buyers making the trip from Roseworthy and Eudunda.

"It was a good sale, overall we were very pleased with the number of rams sold," Mr Bates said.

The sale was conducted by Elders' with auctioneer Tom Penna saying the rams presented well despite the tough season.

"Some of the younger rams lacked a bit of body weight, but the eye muscle to fat to body weight ratios were very good for paddock reared rams that had come through a cold winter," he said.