FOR their final on-property ram sale on Friday, Ramsay Park's stud principals' Peter and Julie Button, Minlaton, were very happy with the clearance and prices achieved.
Of 82 White Suffolks offered, 71 sold to a top of $4000 and an average $1403.
There were also 18 Suffolks offered with 17 sold to a top of $4000, averaging $1777.
A further 16 black composites were offered, six sold to a top of $1000 and an average of $800.
The top price White Suffolk ram was lot 7, a June 2020-drop Warburn 160048 son with Australian Sheep Breeding Value figures of11.0 for weaning weight, a post-weaning weight of 18.5, post-weaning fat of -0.1, eye muscle depth of 3.2 and a Terminal Carcase Production Index of 160.2.
The buyer was John Hicks, Hannaton White Suffolks, Kaniva, Vic, who had bought 50 ewes from Ramsay Park last year.
He bought the ram online and said he was excited to see it on something more than a video.
"From the videos and pictures online lot 7 looked structurally correct, and nice and clean with a really good type so we were thrilled to get him," he said.
Mr Button said the top price ram would have been a "sure keeper" if they were continuing their stud.
"It had great balance, and figures for growth, fat and muscle, it was one of our highest-indexed rams in the sale," he said.
The top price Suffolk ram was lot 84, a July 2020-drop Glencraig 150411 son with a 7.4WWT, 12.1PWT, -0.6Pfat, -0.3EMD and TCP of 117.5, which also made $4000.
It is also heading to stud duties after being bought by Roger and Karen Dudgeon, Whyeemi Suffolks, Oatlands, Tas.
The Dudgeons have been operating the stud for more than 50 years and were pleased with their purchase.
Elders and Nutrien conducted the sale, with Elder's Damien Webb the auctioneer.
Mr Webb said the sale went very well.
"It was strongly supported by the local buyers who had been buying over the course of the 27 years," he said.
"Long-standing clients were the base of the sale."
Mr Webb said the top rams were very well-grown.
"The top White Suffolk ram was long-bodied, plenty of width over the spine and depth in their carcase with some solid figures to back it up as well," he said.
"We wish Peter and Julie all the best in their future endeavours and thank them for their support over the past 27 years."
Ramsey Park will hold its final ewe White Suffolk dispersal on October 22.
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Kiara Stacey
Journalist for Stock Journal. Kiara was in classified sales at Stock Journal before joining the editorial team in 2021. Kiara completed a Bachelor of Communication (journalism) at Deakin University the year prior.
Journalist for Stock Journal. Kiara was in classified sales at Stock Journal before joining the editorial team in 2021. Kiara completed a Bachelor of Communication (journalism) at Deakin University the year prior.
