Ulooloo Dohne stud sells top price ram from midpoint of sale

Hillview Dohne Stud principal Robert Holmes, Chilpenunda, was present bidding up on lot 40 which made $3800 while also taking the second highest ram from lot 26 at $3600.

Ulooloo sold 56 rams of the 77 offered and made an average of $1493.

Lot 40 was sired by Ulooloo's 200147 and was in the top 5 per cent of the breed in yearly clean fleece weight with an Australian Sheep Breeding Value of 20.14.

It was also in the top 10pc of the breed in its Dohne index with a 168.9 rating and a 7.93 yearly weaning weight.

The top price ram had a 6.14 post weaning weight, 0.54 eye muscle depth, -0.12 fat, -0.64 fibre diametre, 0.18 coefficient variation, 0.08 number of lambs weaned and had wool figures of a 17.7 micron and 99.9pc comfort factor.

Mr Holmes said the ram had a big structure with really white wool which stood out.

"It was something we were chasing with the finer micron for where we are to see how it goes," he said.

"It's a different sire line which we can put over our ewes and a new line of genetics to add to our stud.

"We enjoy coming here and catching up with the family."

Ulooloo stud principal Robert Hall said the top end of the sale was really good with support from long term buyers.

"There was a few passed in lots which is typical of the way the season and prices are at the moment," he said.

"People are a bit reserved and not willing to gamble too much.

"I think going forward it will only take one rain and we will sell the rest of those rams.

"We always try to have a good ram on the corner pen and lot 40 stood out with its very good structure, good width and outstanding figures.

"It provides an outcross for the stud that bought it and they have been long term supporters of us."

He said the ram would be going into a stud breeding program on the Eyre Peninsula.

"They first bought from us in 2017," he said.

"Our volume buyers are good supporters with some having been in the breed for a long time, while some are transferring trying to look for higher fat and higher weaning rates out of their lambs while still maintaining good wool value.

"They can see they have to move with the times and are covering their bases with different markets with a true dual purpose animal."

Ulooloo sold nine rams to Wamberra Pastoral all at $1000, and nine to Copago Station for a top of $1000 and an $888 av, while C&B Makereth, took home six to a top of $1200 and an $933 av.

Mr Hall said he had rams available for private selection for anyone who missed out and would take the rams he had shown at Bendigo Sheep and Wool show to Jamestown Show in October.

Nutrien stud stocks Leo Redden said the sale was reflective of the season with quality sheep not finding a home.

"The high data sheep are being selectively picked out, particularly where there is good carcase traits," he said.

"The market is actually holding up very strongly for the top 20pc sheep and the average is being dragged down by those sheep that don't perform as well across the ASBV's.

"Lot 40 is a good example as it is a trait leader which has set the pace.

"There has been a constant improvement in the lineup at Ulooloo - the Hill family will be there in the difficult seasons and when the whips are cracking."

The sale was conducted by Elders and Nutrien with Leo Redden on the gavel.