Elite Stud sale reaches $19,000 twice

Overall, 26 rams sold of 46 offered, reaching $19,000 twice and averaging $7182 - nearly $2000 better than last year's average of $5300.

In the Poll Dorset offering, three sires were offered, of which two sold, one at the equal top price of $19,000, and one at $17,000.

Both were from Rangeview stud, Pipers River, Tas, with stud principal Will Milroy saying he was "on cloud nine" after the result.

"I knew they were special rams from day dot, I've been selective breeding for a long time, but they went way above my expectations, I thought if they sold mid-range I'd be happy," he said.

The $19,000 ram, Rangeview 190147, sold via AuctionsPlus to Wunnamurra Poll Dorsets, Jerilderie, NSW.

It was AI-sired by Hillcroft Farms 051699, with genetics from that particular sire having been used by the stud for 15 years. The sale-topper had Lambplan figures of 0.59 bodyweight, 11.43 weaning weight, 17.33 postWWT, -0.76Pfat, 2.99PEMD, with a Terminal Carcase Production index of 159.69 and a Lamb Eating Quality index of 160.99.

The $17,000 ram, Rangeview 190045, was bought by Bundara Downs, Western Flat, with stud principal Steve Funke admiring the sire for its correctness and muscling.

Rangeview stud also sold a White Suffolk which made $12,000. The ram was part of a White Suffolk line-up featuring 38 rams, of which 22 sold to $19,000, averaging $6284 and topping at $19,000. Two White Suffolk ewes also sold at $1000 and $800, out of five offered.

The $19,000 White Suffolk sire, Wingamin 192459, was offered by Clive and Deb Shillabeer, Wingamin White Suffolks, Karoonda, bought via AuctionsPlus by David Pipkorn, Detpa Grove White Suffolks, Jeparit, Vic.

Wingamin 192459 was an August 2019-drop son of Warburn 160048, and had figures including 0.47BWT, 11.1WWT, 17.9PWWT, -0.74Pfat, 1.78PEMD, a TCP Index of 149.74 and an LEQ index of 143.61.

Mr Pipkorn said the sire was an "extremely well-balanced" ram which fit in his stud's sire team this year.

"We have a clear view in mind of what we're looking for, and he had terrific feet, bone, length, depth and line, and a great spine which he carries it really well," Mr Pipkorn said.

Ms Shillabeer said she felt elated at the good result, and was pleased the sire was going to "a good home".

"We've bought from Detpa Grove before, it's an exceptional stud and we will look forward to seeing the ram's progeny in the future," she said.

Wingamin also offered another ram, Wingamin 192145, which made $6000, knocked down to RS Ballantyne, Gladstone.

Other rams making impressive prices included Galaxy Park 190418, sold at $12,500 to Omad White Suffolks, Kaniva, Vic, Somerset 190114, knocked down at $10,500 to Lukin Springs Grazing Co, Boyup Brook, WA, and Sunnybanks 190091, bought by TJ Munro, Naracoorte, for $10,000.

In the Suffolk line-up, five rams were offered of which two sold, at $6500 and $6000. Both sires were offered by Sayla Park Suffolks, Kilmore, Vic.

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The sale was conducted by Elders and Nutrien, with Elders' Laryn Gogel and Nutrien's Gordon Wood sharing the auctioneering duties.

Mr Gogel said the sheep on offer were "outstanding".

"It was a very good sale, they were elite sheep with some great characteristics which made very good money," he said.

"We probably didn't expect the extremes we saw today, we know they're very good sheep with the breeding behind them, but with the industry wavering a little bit, and in the circumstances where we can't get the interstate vendors and buyers to the sale, we were a bit nervous, but it went very well."

Mr Wood said bidding competition was healthy right through the sale.

"It was an interesting sale, some sheep weren't here, a lot were sold online, including some of those top price rams, but in the end, the rams with the right dataset and phenotype sold very well," he said.

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