The bids came thick and fast right from the start at the Paxton Border Leicester on-property ram sale at Western Flat on Thursday, setting the pace for the remainder of the sale.
It was finished quickly with all 148 rams sold in less than an hour as buyers took advantage of the pick of the pen option from lot 11 onwards to nab multiple rams.
The top price of $4600 was set early at lot one with Glencorrie stud, Sandilands, claiming the July 2019-drop twin son of Inverbrackie 174809.
The ram's figures included a 0.3 birthweight, 6.5 weaning weight, 9.9 post-weaning weight, -0.8 Pfat and 0.1 post-weaning eye muscle depth, while it ranked 133.5 on the Border Leicester Cross index and 149.7 on the Maternal $ index.
Glencorrie's Craig Graham said the ram held itself well.
"I really like the back end and length of body, while it's got a beautiful head," he said.
The highs continued with lot 2, another Inverbrackie 174809 son, also making $4600, bought by Ian Carr, Castle Camps, Keith.
The June 2019-drop twin ram, which was admired by Mr Carr for its thickness and carcase attributes, had a 0.5BWt, 6.5WWT, 11.5PWWT, 0.2Pfat, 0.3PEMD, 133.5BLX and 155.9Mat$.
The top price of $4600 was then achieved for a third time at lot for another June 2019-drop twin half brother to lots one and two.
The ram has 0.3BWT, 5WWT, 8.2PWWT, -0.7Pfat, 0.5PEMD, 132 BLX and 145.7Mat$, and was bought by Tallageira Pastoral Co, Frances.
With such a solid start, the auction continued with strength throughout, ending with an overall average of $2642.
Paxton's Martin Harvey said he even sold another 25 rams privately after the sale, depleting their offering of rams for the season.
"I was really pleased with the sheep - we're trying to breed rams with carcase, which I think was achieved," he said.
"We're very strong on structural correctness and obviously the way they sold, people agreed."
Mr Harvey said it was great to sell into other studs.
"It's fantastic to get our genetics into other people's stud flocks," he said.
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He also appreciated the support of returning clients, as well as some new buyers.
"The first-cross job is unbelievable and we've had buyers do so well, selling on AuctionsPlus or at Naracoorte first-cross sale," he said.
"It's the biggest buzz to see our clients do well with their progeny."
Last year's top price buyer McPiggery, Lameroo, returned, picking up five rams early in the catalogue, including one at the second highest price of $4400 - an Ellingerrin 16254 son, born as a July 2019-drop twin with 0.4BWT, 5.6WWT, 8.3PWWT, -0.2Pfat and -0.1PEMD.
In total their five rams averaged $3800.
The sale's volume buyer was KR Francis, Western Flat, which took home 16 rams to $2800, averaging $2537.
Coronary Park, Frances, bought 12 rams to $2600, averaging $2450.
Paraway Pastoral Co, Orange, NSW, bought 10 rams to $3000, averaging $2660.
BJ&DJ Francis, Western Flat, bought nine rams from throughout the catalogue, bidding to $3800 for an average $2778.
Farmers Leap Produce, Padthaway, bought eight rams to $2600, averaging $2425.
The sale was conducted by Pinkerton Palm Hamlyn & Steen with Josh Manser and Luke Schreiber sharing the rostrum.
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Elizabeth Anderson
Editor of Stock Journal.
Editor of Stock Journal.
