White Suffolks hit $2300 at Willochra and Gumview

Held at the Melrose showground, the sale hosted by Willochra principal Jeff McCallum and Gumview principal David McCallum saw an offering of 84 White Suffolks, with 82 sold for an average of $1521, while 48 from 48 Suffolks hit a top of $1800 three times and an average of $1197.

Sold to BJ Woolford Trust, Booleroo Centre, Lot 5 went under the hammer for the top price, with a post-weaning weight score of 17.73, post-weaning fat score of -0.91 and a post-weaning eye muscle depth score of 1.39.

Lot 18 also reached $2300, for its scores of 18.89 for Pwwt, -1.28 for Pfat and 0.79 for Pemd.

The Woolford family picked up the first five lots, in addition to a further four through the sale, including two Suffolks, to an average of $1866.

Nathan Woolford said he picked out rams that were the most structurally appealing on the day.

"We just looked for the biggest and best looking rams to take home," he said.

"We've been buying here for a while and the main driver is they're structurally sound rams which are acclimatised to our region so it's easy to take them home.

"They'll all be put over Merino ewes and produce some strong lambs."

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In the Suffolks, Valley Hi, Wilmington, picked up three Suffolks for $1800 each at lots 87, 88 and 89.

The July-drop rams were all twin-born, with Pwwt scores of 14.96, 15.6 and 16.19 respectively.

Michael Voigt, Valley Hi, also picked another ram for $1600 at Lot 95.

Mr Voigt said the Suffolk rams were bound for his flock of 700 Merino ewes.

"Every year we buy four or five rams from Willochra and Gumview," he said.

"They have great length of body and good depth and they do well in our country.

"We really look for visual traits first then check out the figures later as a back up.

"Those low birthweights and high growth rates are something we chase, so if they match up well then its the right ram."

The sale was conducted by Elders Jamestown and Nutrien Melrose.