SALE SUMMARY
2020 2019
White Suffolks
Offered 139 138
Sold 139 131
Top $3400 $3100
Av $1509 $1695
Suffolks
Offered 34 30
Sold 31 18
Top $2300(x2) $2200
Av $1232 $1112
GOOD local support helped lift the clearance at the Seriston on-property White Suffolk and Suffolk sale at Avenue Range on Friday.
The sale offered 139 White Suffolk rams, with full clearance to a top of $3400 and an average $1509, while 31 of 34 Suffolk rams sold to $2300 twice, with a lift in the average of $120 to $1232.
The top price White Suffolk ram, a late July 2019-drop Baringa 230 was bought by repeat client Engler Enterprises, Beachport.
Its figures included a 0.39, weaning weight of 10.1, 15.4 post-weaning weight, -0.7pfat, 1.1 post-weaning eye muscle depth and rankings of 136.6 on the terminal carcase production index and 130.6 on the lamb eating quality index.
Engler Enterprises farm manager Barry Snook said he admired the rams' stretch.
"We've got a small flock of elite ewes that he will slot into and go on to breed upcoming rams," he said.
The White Suffolk offering also included three rams from Lucindale Area School, which sold to $1600, averaging $1233.
RELATED READING: Repeat buyers ensure strong Seriston sale
In the Suffolk offering, Nampara Pastoral Co, Mount Gambier, paid the $2300 top price twice for two July 2019-drop rams that weighed in at 112 kilograms and 105kg.
All up, Nampara Pastoral Co bought six rams at the top of the catalogue, averaging $1883.
Also active early in the Suffolk offering was RA&MJ Jones, Lochaber, who picked up four rams, including two at the second highest price of $2200, averaging $1900, as well as two White Suffolks at $2200, including lot one.
The sale's volume buyer was Kangaringa, Keith, which bought 25 White Suffolk rams to $1200, averaging $1048.
Cadara Family Trust, Mount Benson, found good value, taking home 12 Suffolk rams at $800.
Hillcrest Pastoral, Lucindale, bought 10 White Suffolk rams to $1800, averaging $1680.
KB&RM Skeer, Beachport, bought eight White Suffolk rams to $2200, averaging $1812.
Mardango Props, Keith, nabbed seven White Suffolk rams to $1800 for an average $1557.
Bull Island Pastoral Company, Avenue Range, were active throughout the White Suffolk catologue, taking home six rams to $2200, averaging $1850.
AJ&PA McBride, Lucindale, picked up six White Suffolk rams for its Brooklyn Station, bidding to $1100, averaging $983, as well as another five White Suffolks to $1000, averaging $940 for Greenways Station.
Seriston principal Anthony Hurst said it was great to see the support from local buyers once again, as well as some new clients from the Mid North, which helped underpin a good outcome.
"It was a very solid result in the White Suffolks, as well as some opportunity buying in the Suffolks," he said.
He said the lineup had presented well despite some trying conditions, which included heavy rain in the lead up to the sale.
"I'm very happy with the carcases on moderate-framed sheep," he said,.
"I concentrate on positive fat and 'doability' and it was evident with the sheep here."
Mr Hurst said it was great to see volume buyer Kangaringa bidding up, as well as the other volume orders.
:The optimism in the lamb industry is still very positive," he said.
"Everyone sees a future in the lamb industry."
The sale was conducted by Elders and Nutrien Livestock with Elders' southern livestock sales manager Laryn Gogel and Nutrien stud stock manager Gordon Wood sharing the auctioneering duties.
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