A strong line of consistent, large bodied rams with high growth figures and a top eye muscle of 52.1 millimetres attracted spirited bidding at She-Oak Lodge's 21st annual on-farm sale at Mount Hope on Friday.
In a total clearance, the Millard family sold 68 Suffolk rams to a record $4200, at an average of $1140, along with 50 White Suffolks to a top price of $3000 and an average of $1496.
Last year they also sold 118 rams to $3400, averaging $1123.
There was 41 repeat and new buyers that registered for the sale, with purchases going to the Yorke Peninsula, the Mid North, Kangaroo Island and from across Eyre Peninsula.
The top price Suffolk ram was purchased by Steve and Reyah Agars, Tungatta, near Sheringa.
"The Millard family have great genetics, and we just couldn't fault this ram," Mr Agars said.
Return buyers Ty and Tessa McKenn,. Bilyana Park, Kyancutta, bought the top price White Suffolk, along with a number of other black and white rams.
Weighing in at 140 kilograms, the to ram had measurements of 52.1EMD, post-weaning fat depth of -0.7 and a 14.1 post weaning weight.
"We have been buying She-Oak Lodge rams for many years for their excellent growth and length," Mr McKenna said.
"We will put them over Dohne and Merino ewes because they continue to perform well despite poor seasonal conditions.
"We've been impressed by their high scanning results, consistently over 90 per cent, and their fast growth rates mean we can sell a four month old lamb at an average 45 kilograms to 50kg liveweight depending on the season.
"Because we know they grow so well, we keep coming back."
Volume buyer Cariewerloo, Port Augusta, bought eight Suffolks, with regular buyer Jandamar, Mount Hope, securing six rams to $2200, averaging $1815.
She-Oak stud principal Tom Millard was very pleased with this year's line-up, particularly the White Suffolks.
"Our White Suffolks have been a stand out this season, and we are very happy with their growth rate and the interest they have generated," he said.
"Twenty four of the 50 on offer had eye muscle depth of 49mm or above, and that's a credit to their Allendale and Illoura parent stock genetics."
Mr Millard said the black-faced sheep continued to perform well.
"We are looking for long sheep with a well-muscled back end and a narrow front end for ease of lambing," he said.
"Our focus has always been that 'big is beautiful', and we aim to produce a ram who has excellent size and length with great growth rates."
The sale was conducted by Eyre Peninsula Livestock & Real Estate agent Craig Barbary, assisted by guest auctioneer Wilbur Williams, who said the very strong line-up of rams on offer were well supported by excellent Terminal Carcase Production figures.
He said they were consistent with size, length and muscle, and he was confident they would breed great, fast-growing lambs in any commercial enterprise.
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