SALE SUMMARY
Poll Dorsets
2019 2018
Offered 205 203
Sold 205 196
Top $4400 $2400
Av $1322 $1366
White Suffolks
Offered 99 100
Sold 99 82
Top $2000 $2000
Av $1159 $932
Suffolks
Offered 29 30
Sold 29 25
Top $1400 $1500
Av $945 $800
BIDDING didn't skip a beat at Mullinger Park's 16th annual White Suffolk, Poll Dorset and Suffolk ram sale last Thursday at the Naracoorte Showgrounds, with a total clearance of one of the state's largest annual offerings of terminal sires.
In the two and a half hour selling marathon Brett and Amanda Shepherd sold 333 well-presented rams across their three breeds for a $1241 average.
This was 30 rams more than 2018 when the average was $1202.
South East and western Vic buyers, who are enjoying a very good season and nearly $8 a kilogram llamb prices , bid with confidence but the bidding galley also included producers from as far afield as the Murray Mallee.
Poll Dorsets were the most in favour with 205 averaging $1322 , but the big improvers in average were the White Suffolk offering.
These 99 rams averaged $1159, more than $220 higher than 2018.
The sale kicked off with the 10 specially selected Poll Dorsets averaging $2520, including the $4400 sale topper.
The June 2018 drop, MP 327-18 was snapped up by KS, M&GS Davis, Sutherland Hills, Dergholm, Vic.
It was sired by Leenala 16-150 - a ram which Mullinger Park bought in conjunction with Wrattenbullie stud for $9000 in 2017.
Two of the specially selected rams also sold for $3000, with one to RJ&J Kester, Kybybolite and the other to D&M McInnes.
Willana Pastoral, Frances, bought rams from both breeds with 14 Poll Dorsets for a $1143 average and nine White Suffolks for a $1011 average.
Stark Grazing, Naracoorte, secured 12 rams in the top end of the Poll Dorset catalogue to $2200, averaging $1892.
LS Johnson & Son, Naracoorte, put together 17 Poll Dorsets to $2000 high, averaging $1365 and Glendoon Pastoral, Binnum, bought 10 rams for a $1180 average.
A large proportion of the Suffolk offering headed to Mallee clients including 10 to Normont Services to $1000, averaging $900.
But the highest price at $1400 was paid by ECH Schinckel & Sons, Kybybolite.
It was one of their three Suffolk buys, as well as three White Suffolks.
Mr Shepherd was thrilled to have a total clearance of such a large offering and attract more than 70 registered bidders. many of which were long-time clients.
He said the stud had undertaken an extensive AI program this year with about 400 ewes using several sires including rams from Aberdeen stud, NSW, and Sunnybanks, Tas.
These progeny were showing plenty of promise for the 2020 sale.
Elders, Pinkerton Palm Hamlyn & Steen and Southern Australian Livestock were joint selling agents with Tom Dennis, Josh Manser and Mat MacDonald the auctioneers.
Mr Dennis said it was a "fantastic clearance".
"With the volume of sheep you always get nervous about clearances but when you see a large body of sheep like this people know that they came along and get value and really pick through the sheep and get the ones they want," he said.
Mr MacDonald said prices were "pretty fair" for both buyers and the vendor with rams available for a range of budgets.
"The lamb job is holding up around $8/kg so everyone is pretty excited going forward," he said.
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