Pimbena ram sale strong with four rams hitting $3600 top price

While the sale did not hit the lofty heights of last year, Pimbena stud principal Leslie Hamence said he was "very happy" to sell 76 April 2021-drop rams from the 78 he offered, averaging $1741.

Prices topped at $3600 four times for lots 1, 9, 10 and the very last pen at 78 - all featuring similar figures.

The first ram under the hammer, by homebred sire PIM-249, had a fleece measuring 18.4 microns with 2.7 standard deviation, 14.6 coefficient of variation and 99.6 per cent comfort factor, plus an eye muscle depth of 0.2 and fat of 0.2.

The ram was also in the top 30pc of the flock average for yearling fleece weight, with a score of 11.

Lot 1 was knocked down to Brad and Kerry Claughton, Yallunda Flat, who liked the ram's "large correct frame".

"It also had bright, white, free wool," Brad said.

RELATED:

"We are sure it will be a very productive sheep for us.

"These type of animals are also highly fertile, which plays a big part in our ewe and ewe lamb breeding program."

The Claughton's bought five rams to an average of $1920.

Mr Hamence said lot 1 was a "good upstanding ram", that had presented well at the EP pre-sale expo in Wudinna earlier this month, alongside lots 9 and 10.

Lot 9 was knocked down to KA&SF Trewartha, Ceduna, and was also sired by PIM-249, with figures of 18.9M, 2.8SD, 14.8CV, 99.8pc CF, -.01FAT and -0.2EMD, while lot 10 was sired by PIM-417 and had 18.5M, 2.5SD, 13.3CV, 99.8pc CF, 0.4FAT and 0.8EMD and went to T&S Pittaway Farming, Streaky Bay.

Volume buyer Stevens Farming, through Forbes Livestock & Agency Co, Forbes, NSW, took home 12 rams while six were bound for Netallie Station, Wilcannia, NSW, including lot 78, which was sired by PIM-321.

There was a mishap with the raw figures for Lot 78 but its Australian Sheep Breeding Values included a yearling weight of 9, yearling eye muscle depth 1.1, yearling staple length of 16, yearling clean fleece weight of 19 and a Dual Purpose-plus index of 166.

Mr Hamence was pleased to see many repeat buyers operating in the sale.

"It was also good to see some clients that we had not seen in a couple years returning to us," he said.

Of the 24 registered bidders, all but two went home with a new ram.

Nutrien conducted the sale, with Gordon Wood as auctioneer.

Mr Wood said Pimbena were "ahead of the game" in their ASBV records.

"The stud puts a lot of work into the genetics," he said.

"Les has been in Merino Select and ASBVs for years, so it's really good to see he's finally being rewarded.

"The sale had really good results with a near full clearance, which is about as good as it's been here at Pimbena in the time that I've been selling here, which is a long time now."

Mr Hamence has a further 10 rams he is offering via private selection.