SALE SUMMARY
2022 2021
Offered 59 60
Sold 45 46
Top $4200 $3800
Av $1891 $1452
MANY buyers from across SA's Mallee area took a squiz at Lucernbrae's ram lineup on Thursday, and the competitive bidding helped the stud reach a $4200 top price.
The on-property sale at Callington offered 59 Poll Merinos, with 45 sold, to a solid $1891 sale average, up by $439 on last year's sale.
Bidders had to wait until lot 18 for the $4200 top price ram to be auctioned, with long-term clients Kym and Michelle Thiele, Pompoota, making the final bid.
Its Gunallo 189226 sire was a drawcard for the Thieles, with the couple certainly chasing its genetics.
The 97-kilogram top price ram's fleece measured 18.5 micron with 2.7 standard deviation and 14.5 coefficient of variation.
Merino Select figures included MP+ of 178.09 and 36.5 eye muscle depth and 5.5 fat depth.
After more than a decade of sourcing Lucernbrae genetics, Mrs Thiele said the rams perform in the local conditions.
"The flock micron has dropped significantly but the staple length and strength has increased.
"We were really excited about its sire, the Gunallo ram, and we cannot wait to see what it can do for our flock."
The Thieles run about 1700 Merino ewes and secured another ram at $2600, both will be joined to Merino ewes in November.
Stud co-principal Judy Paech said the stud has increased its non-mulesed wool marketing and entered its second year using ASBV's.
"We have always collected the data but now we can present it to clients professionally."
The stud prides itself on breeding moderately framed rams and Mrs Paech believed a combination of the above has increased interest from clients.
The second-highest price ram made $4000 and sold to KA&DB Frahn, Mannum, who put together a solid draft of six rams, averaging $2333.
The $4000 ram, sired by Baderloo 190067, weighed 103kg with 18.8M wool, 2.8SD and 14.8CV. It had MP+ 151.5, 40.5EMD and 5 for fat.
Buyer Bill Walker put together an impressive lineup for a multitude of clients, snapping up 13 rams during the auction to a top of $2400, averaging $1330.
Wilson River Trading, Kingscote, bought four to $3000, averaging $2300 and Eckert Blend, Strathalbyn, secured four to $2800, averaging $1900.
NJ Amery, Warrawie, Vic, bought three to $3200, averaging $2600.
The sale was conducted by Keller Livestock, Murray Bridge, with auctioneer Leo Redden taking the bids.
