Bundara Downs White Suffolks reach $1600 in summer sale

In the White Suffolk line-up, 64 of 114 rams sold to $1600, averaging $941, while 34 of 75 Poll Dorsets also sold, reaching $1100 four times and averaging $862.

The $1600 sale-topper, lot 16, was a May 2019-drop 88.5-kilogram twin ram with figures including a weaning weight estimated breeding value of 10.9, 17.5 for post-weaning weight, and eye muscle depth of 2.8, culminating in a Carcase Plus index of 220.96 - the highest in the White Suffolk offering. It also had a Terminal Carcase Production index of 149.52.

The ram was bought by Craig and Kristy Pietsch, Pietsch Rural, Western Flat, with Mr Pietsch impressed by the ram's indexes and low birthweight.

"It was one of our top picks, it had really good figures matched by a good physical appearance," he said.

Mr Pietsch said he would soon be joining his maiden ewes, with the sale being a good opportunity to get a "top up" of rams.

He bought nine White Suffolk rams in total, averaging $1044, and will join his purchases to SAMM-Merino-Border Leicester ewes.

The $1100 top price in the Poll Dorset offering was first achieved by lot 127, bought by Muston Pastoral Company, Carramut, Vic, which has bought rams from Bundara Downs before, although this was their first time buying at the summer sale.

All up, Muston Pastoral Company bought 13 Poll Dorsets, averaging $846, and six White Suffolks, all at $800.

The remaining three $1100 Poll Dorsets - lots 128, 154 and 168 - were bought by MA&MA Woolston, through Elders Mount Gambier.

Rich Family Trust, through Westtech Ag Kaniva, were new clients, and took home six Poll Dorset rams to $1000, averaging $833, with other volume buyers including DW&JL Graetz, Mundulla, who secured 14 White Suffolk rams, all at $800, and N&B Wende, through PPHS Naracoorte, who bought six Poll Dorsets, also all at $800.

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Bundara Downs principal Steve Funke was pleased with the sale, selling just short of his goal of 100 rams.

"We set a five-year plan to do this summer sale, this is our third year, and to sell nearly a hundred rams three years into a new venture is a great result," he said.

Elders stud stock auctioneer Tony Wetherall said the consistency throughout the offering was impressive.

"The quality was outstanding, with an average weight of about 80kg (throughout the entire offering), with a range from the high 90s down to high 50s is very good, and it shows the breeding program here is very good," he said.

"As far as figures go, they are up there as high as any other studs round Australia. They do a great job genetically, and that must be transferring to the commercial buyer, because they have great commercial support all year round."

Elders conducted the sale, with Laryn Gogel and Mr Wetherall sharing the auctioneering duties.

Bundara Downs will hold their on-property mated ewe sale on April 3, and their spring on-property sale on September 18.