Suffolks star with stud demand at Gypsum Hill ram sale

Since moving to the South East about a decade ago Andrew and Tanya Frick have gradually grown their client base but this year it all came together with 78 of 80 White Suffolks averaging $1153 and a total clearance of 21 Suffolks for a $1181 average.

Despite the nearly $150 lift in average in the White Suffolks the sale was still very affordable with about 40 rams knocked down at the $1000 upset price.

Two White Suffolk rams in the first few lots at Gypsum Hill's ram sale hit $2000 each but it was the Suffolk where the sale high of $2400 was achieved.

Anthony Hurst, Seriston stud, Avenue Range,secured lot 49, the youngest Suffolk in the draft being a September 2019 drop but also one of the heaviest.

Mr Hurst also bought lot 45 on behalf of Brett Stokes, Noblelee Suffolk stud, Campania, Tas, for $2000.

Both eye-appealing lots were sired by Allendale 17061- which Gypsum Hill bought for $6000 in 2018.

JF&JA Kenny, Cadgee, secured the first of the $2000 White Suffolks at lot 1- a July 2019 drop with a post weaning weight of 15.5 and Pemd of 1.9, while lot 4 a June 2019 drop with a TCP of 151.9 made the same money to Carousel Farm Trust, Keith.

PR&JL Clarke, Hynam, secured nine rams to $1500, averaging $1178, while Fry Family Farms, Frances, bought eight rams between $1000 and $1100.

Flock ram buyers came from Mount Gambier to the Mallee, many of them long-time clients.

Pinkerton Palm Hamlyn Steen auctioneer Josh Manser said the Frick family had a strong following who were getting great performance and longevity from their rams.

"They are not done up like many other studs so they can take them home and know they will do for them - and they have plenty of carcase and length," he said.

Mr Frick was pleased to see sustained strong bidding with not much price difference between the early lots and those late in the catalogue.

He said they were gradually working towards increasing their sale numbers to 120 rams in the next few years.

"Previously we used to try and breed two or three stud rams a year but now our focus is evenness and depth and 100 of the best rams we can, of those a couple may go to studs," he said.

"It is important to improve production traits but it shouldn't be at the expense of structure and conformation- we think the two can complement each other."

PPHS Naracoorte conducted the sale.