Johnos Border Leicester sire hits $15,000 sensational high

The twin-born ram- Johnos 202/18 - offered by Jeff and Raelene Johnson from Eurack, Vic, was sired by one of the breed's highest indexing rams, Johnos 83/11.

It was knocked down to rapturous applause, smashing the stud's previous highest price of $10,000 and coming close to the national record of $18,200.

The successful buyers were Martin and Kirsty Harvey, Paxton stud, Western Flat, who were impressed with the good feet and structure of the ram, as well as its figures including a Border Leicester cross index of 139.9- in the top 10 per cent in the Sheep Genetics database.

It also had a number of lambs weaned figure of 21pc.

"We bought a ram from Johnos a number of years ago and it bred exceptionally well so we were very happy to support the guys again," Mr Harvey said.

"If he breeds as well as himself he will have a significant impact for us."

Mr Harvey said after strong ram sales in 2018 including $9500 and $8500 at the Horsham Border Leicester Show & Sale last November they were keen to reinvest in a top sire.

Paxton stud was pushed all the way by Michael and Julie Osborne, Ryeview stud, Millicent, who later bought another Johnos 83/11 son for $3400.

In a sign of the high quality of the offering six of the rams were knocked down to studs.

Alderside Park, Warracknabeal, Vic, paid $4000 for lot 15 which had been used as a ram lamb and the Galpin family, Warrawindi Farms, Penola outlaid $2600 for lot 8.

The overall sale average also sky rocketed from 2018, with a total clearance of 81 rams for a $1911 average.

Commercial breeders also provided strong competition, many of them noted first cross ewe sellers.

Ian Farley, Marmon Hill, Jabuk, was the volume buyer with 10 rams to $2100, averaging $1510.

Kerr Family Pastoral Company, Mount Gambier, averaged $1883 for its six buys to a $2300 high.

McPiggery, Lameroo, was strong at the top of the catalogue with five rams to $2700. This included three of the four woolly rams on offer.

Mr Johnson said he was thrilled with the widespread support from 34 registered bidders from both sides of the SA-Vic border in a wide price bracket from $1000 to the $15,000 high.

"We were really pleased that everyone was able to get something- it might not have been their first pick but they got rams," he said.

"Next year is the 40th year that we have been breeding Borders so to still be breeding Borders people want is really quite good."

The selling agent was Southern Australian Livestock with Mat MacDonald the auctioneer.