ACHIEVING a world record price for a White Suffolk ewe overshadowed any mixed emotions at Ramsay Park stud's first-stage ewe dispersal on Friday at Minlaton, after a ewe reached a top of $5100.
The "impressive" ewe was offered at the back end of the White Suffolk sale, offering a surprise when it was knocked down to buyers Ian Gilmore, Oberon, NSW, and Anthony Hurst, Lucindale.
Stud principal Peter Button's "head was spinning" when the record was made.
"It just blew me away - we had no idea that she was going to do that," he said.
The June 2017-drop ewe's Australian Sheep Breeding Values included a post weaning weight of 18.11, 0.01 for fat, 3.10 post-weaning eye muscle depth and -0.47 intramuscular fat. It was 156.28 on the Terminal Carcase Production index.
Part-owner Ian Gilmore said the ewe will be used in an embryo transfer program.
"This will be the first time using their genetics but we have been watching their progress for many years," he said.
The Gilmore's secured a further four ewes, averaging $1920 across the five.
The $3600 second-highest price was made twice, with lots sold to Woolumbool stud, Naracoorte, who secured another lot at $2500, and Detpa Grove, Jeparit, Vic, who bought five in total, averaging $2280.
The Branson family at Mortlake, Vic, were operating online and put together an impressive draft of ewes and took home 22 to $3500, averaging $1145.
Hannaton Partnership, Kaniva, Vic, were in the barn on sale day and bought 39 to $1200, averaging $952.
White Suffolk rams were also offered, with two offered and sold, to an $8000 top, averaging $6100.
Orrie Cowie stud's John Dalla, Warooka, snapped up the top price ram after a bidding tussle with online buyers.
The 2017-drop ram's ASBV's included a PWWT of 21.37, EMD of 2.32 and 156.54 on the Terminal Carcase Production index.
Nutrien Ag Solutions auctioneer Gordon Wood said it was a huge sale.
"The impressive ewe topped the day off," he said.
The stud also offered 45 Suffolk ewes to a top of $1200, averaging $835. The top price ewe was an August 2019-drop that sold to Brett Stokes, Tasmania, who secured a further two rams, averaging $1033 across the three.
Clovaville, Wollomombi, NSW, was the volume buyer after making the final bid on 14 ewes to $1000, averaging $821.
Black Composite ewes topped at $900, averaging $500. The top price ewe was sold to Telpara Suffolks, Hartley.
The sale was auctioneered by Elders stud stock's Tony Wetherall and Tom Penna, and Nutrien Ag Solutions' Gordon Wood.
