Volume order lifts Gumview Willochra sale

All 68 White Suffolks sold to a top of $1500, achieved thrice, averaging $1171 - up $313 on last year - while the 44 Suffolks sold to $1700, with a $873 average.

The White Suffolk top was first paid for lot 2, which had a 141 terminal carcase production index, and figures of 0.39 for birthweight, 13.1 for post-weaning weight, -0.4 for PW fat, and 1.8 for PW eye muscle depth. It was bought by Durrant P/L, Gladstone, which took three White Suffolks, averaging $1367.

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JM&TF McCallum, Melrose, paid $1500 twice, at lot 5, which had a 132TCP, 0.26BW, 15PWWT, 0.7PW fat and 1.1PWEMD, and lot 17, a twin with 138TCP, 0.35BW, 16.9PWWT, -0.1PW fat and 1.7PEMD. All up they bought four rams, averaging $1325.

The top price Suffolk ram, a twin July 2018-drop with 134TCP, 0.42BW, 12.7PWWT, -1Pfat and 0.8PEMD, was bought by Matt Modystach, Wilmington, who took home three rams, averaging $1233.

Volume buyers were Westbrook Ag, through Landmark Loxton, with 23 Suffolk rams at $700; BM&BP Mumford, Redhill, with 11 White Suffolk rams to $1400, averaging $1168; Wilkitana Station, Port Augusta, with six White Suffolk rams to $1200, averaging $1033; and Valley Hi, Wilmington, with two White Suffolk and four Suffolk rams to $1600, averaging $1233.

Willochra principal Jeff McCallum and Gumview principal David McCallum said they were pleased with the result, especially considering the drought conditions in the region and reduced ewe numbers.

David said the Suffolk sale was buoyed by an order for 40 rams, with 23 sold during the auction and the remainder through private selection.

The sale was conducted by Landmark and Elders with Landmark's Gordon Wood wielding the gavel.