A LOYAL client has snapped up Clover Down's top price ram for the third consecutive year at its sale on Wednesday, helping the stud to a $3400 top price.
Celebrating its fourth auction, the stud cleared 53 Dohne rams from 59 offered at its Barabba property, for a $1226 average.
The $3400 top price ram was secured by Ben Ritchie, Appila, who noticed the ram in the lineup for its wool quality and balance.
The Richie's have bought at the stud since its inception but bought through private selection prior to the stud holding an auction.
"We have been breeding Dohnes for about 12 years and in that time, we have used a few different bloodlines but we have settled on Clover Downs," Mr Ritchie said.
"I am impressed with the wool quality and body structure"
Their wool cut has been improved in the past few years, with the family now at about 4.5-5.5kg across its ewes.
The top price ram will go over selected ewes early next year, to also breed flock rams.
The 105-kilogram ram's fleece was 17.5-micron with a 99.9 per cent comfort factor, and 164.9 on the Dohne index.
Its Australian Sheep Breeding Values included 7.9 yearling clean fleece weight, -0.8 fibre diametre and -1.8 coefficient of variation.
Sired by AGM170111, its other figures included 5.1 post weaning weight, 0.3 eye muscle depth and -0.3 for fat.
Mr Ritchie also bought a further three rams, averaging $1850 across the four.
The $2200 second-highest price ram was bought by PNH Nominees, Streaky Bay.
The twin ram also carried solid figures at 162 on the Dohne index with an 18M wool and 99.3pc CF.
IT had 10.9 CFW, -0.8 FD and -0.6 CV with 0.6 EMD and 0.1 fat.
There were two very active volume buyers at the sale, with TJ&CR Hyde, Meribah, taking home a draft of 24 rams, to a top of $1600, averaging $1066.
Avondale Station, Broken Hill, made the final bid on 13 rams to $1600, av $984.
Rawnsley Park Station, Flinders Ranges, bought six rams to $1600, averaging $1366, while Kin Schmaal, Tanunda, bought three to $2000, av $1666.
Stud principal Alex Mattschos was delighted with the sale's result and believed the stud had improved its wool quality, frame and balance throughout the auction draft.
The sale was conducted by Nutrien Ag Solutions Gawler, with auctioneer Gordon Wood taking the bids and Peter Marschall as the spotter.
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Vanessa Binks
I am the Markets Editor and journalist at the Stock Journal. I am based at Nuriootpa in SA's lower north.
I am the Markets Editor and journalist at the Stock Journal. I am based at Nuriootpa in SA's lower north.
