AN EXCEPTIONAL Poll Dorset sire which has been a consistent sash winner at SA country shows this year has helped Newbold to an on-property record, fetching $12,500 for the stud at its 75th on-property auction held at Gawler River on Friday.
In the auction, 11 of 13 Poll Dorset stud rams sold to $12500, averaging $3691, while 76 of 84 flock rams sold to $2400, averaging $1271.
Four of five White Suffolk stud rams sold to $2100, averaging $1950, and 34 of 42 White Suffolk flock rams sold to $1900, averaging $1009.
Bids were flying early on in the sale, with the top price achieved with the first lot, which, after some fierce competition, was eventually knocked down to JM&CC Oswald, Green Oaks stud, Yaninee, as their only buy in the sale.
The sale-topper was part of the Newbold group of two ewes and one ram which placed third in the maternal breeds section of the maternal lamb production class at this year's Royal Adelaide Show. It was also named champion ram at the 2019 Tanunda and Mount Pleasant Shows.
It's exciting to be in the lamb industry at the moment, anyone involved should make the most of the opportunity it presents.
- BILL CLOSE
The ram was sired by Aberdeen Cracker - bought from Aberdeen Poll Dorsets, Henty, NSW, two years ago for $18,000 - had a weaning weight figure of 12, post-weaning weight of 17.9, Pfat of -0.5, eye muscle depth of 1.7, Carcase Plus index of 212 and a Lamb Eating Quality Index of 140.
Green Oaks stud principal John Oswald liked the confirmation and size of the top sire, as well as its straight back.
"We haven't sold too many rams yet because we are still breeding up numbers, this ram is the next move to progress," he said.
Newbold stud principal Bill Close was pleased the top ram was going to a stud which would "use him well".
"It has to be the best ram we've had here for a number of years," he said.
"Our logo is quality and performance, and our number one ram showed that, he's a high figured ram with good quality."
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Mr Close was pleased with the sale result.
"We had a wonderful turnout of old and new clients, and really solid buying strength for people who wanted rams, the rams that sold, sold really well," he said.
"There wasn't as much clearance of the White Suffolks as the Poll Dorsets, but the overall strength of the industry was apparent based on the value put on the really good rams.
"It was great to see the strength in people looking for good figured sheep, people are aware what good figures could do for their production.
"It's exciting to be in the lamb industry at the moment, anyone involved should make the most of the opportunity it presents."
The $4500 second-highest price was paid by BJ&KA Walker, Kenlorne Poll Dorsets, Beachport, for lot 3, a Poll Dorset stud ram with figures of 12.4WWT, 17.9PWWT, -1.2Pfat, 1.1EMD and a Carcase plus index of 209.
Lot 102 fetched the highest price in the White Suffolk line-up, with S&S Oliver Enterprises, Gumlea Corriedale stud, Wattle Flat bidding to $2100 to secure the ram, which had figures of 13.3WWT, 19.4PWWT, -0.8Pfat and a Carcase Plus index of 212.
The stud also bought three other rams, overall averaging $1225. The rams will be mated with Merino-Border Leicester ewes to breed dual-purpose prime lambs.
The sale's volume buyer was repeat client WB&SJ Hurn, Angaston, who bought 14 Poll Dorsets and 1 White Suffolk ram, to $2400, averaging $1920.
The volume buyer in the White Suffolk catalogue was WA&WB Pearce, Strathalbyn, who took home 12 rams, all at $800.
New client GT&DJ Crittenden, Cummins, were active bidders at the top end, securing nine rams to $2000, averaging $1233.
Scottswell Partners, Keith, bought 8 to $1800, averaging $1575, while AB Eckert&Son, Strathalbyn, bought seven to $1200, averaging $900.
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DD&PB Schiller, Karoonda, also secured seven rams, averaging $1143 and topping at $1600.
Overall, 37 of 44 registered buyers made purchases.
Eighteen Poll Dorset ewes were also on offer, of which 16 sold to $560, averaging $440.
The sale was conducted by Elders and Landmark, with Tom Penna and Glen Keast sharing the rostrum.
Mr Keast said the line-up was a quality offering, with the rams being physically impressive, matched by good figures.
"The muscling and confirmation (stud principal Bill Close) has got across his rams is phenomenal, especially in his Poll Dorsets, but also in the White Suffolks," Mr Keast said.
"He's trying to get weight into his rams which passes into good early growth in the lambs."
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