THE lack of confidence in the sheep industry took its toll on Bundara Downs seventh biennial mated ewe sale at Western Flat last Friday with a disappointing 16 per cent clearance across the four breeds.
But buyers, including top price buyer Anthony Ferguson, Anna Villa stud, Weetulta, were able to secure some tremendous genetics from Steve, Ros, Greg and Selena Funke at very good prices.
Mr Ferguson bought three White Suffolks at the $800 base price as well as the sale topping Ultra White ewe - lot 260.
The May 2022 drop which was Anna Villa's first foray into the breed was sired by Hillcroft Farms 7078 and out of a Hillcroft Farms ewe. It had impressive figures including a post weaning weight of 12.1 and Terminal Carcase Production index of 138.7.
She was scanned in lamb as carrying twins sired by Anden 221025. These are due next month.
"We only planned on buying one ewe, she was a nice ewe and a good clean shedder, " Mr Ferguson said.
Mr Ferguson said they had no plans to move away from White Suffolks but would experiment in their commercial flock to see whether a shedder could be another option for some of their clients.
"We have two or three young (White Suffolk) rams that are very clean so this is a chance to compare them to our flock and also see how hard these sheep are on fences," he said.
In a big surprise given the strong demand for the breed the sale topper was the only UltraWhite ewe to sell in the offering of 30.
Ten out of 28 Suffolk ewes found homes for a $840 average, including two at $1000 to Yendora Rural, Macarthur, Vic.
These were lots 241 and 243- both daughters of a Lynburn ram.
In the White Suffolk offering 29 of 54 ewes averaged $807
AI&DM Mills, Jindivich, Vic, bought the $1000 highest priced White Suffolk ewe in lot 66.
.Buyers were also thin on the ground for the Poll Dorsets with just three of these selling at $800.
Overall 43 of 268 scanned in lamb ewes which were 2018 to 2022 drop averaged $830.
In comparison in 2022, 251 of 261 ewes topped at $2200 and averaged $857.
"There are plenty of people who have not sold all their rams from last year so they are reluctant to reinvest which we can understand," stud co-principal Greg Funke said.
Elders southern SA livestock manager and auctioneer Laryn Gogel said the sale was full of opportunities for anyone wanting to start a stud or looking to purchase some top genetics with impressive figures. He said a lot of work had gone into the matings and predicted EBVs on the in-utero progeny.
"It was one of the best drafts of Bundara Downs ewes for consistency I have seen, over the White Suffolks there was a 95kg average which showed they were well up in condition and presented well," he said.
Mr Gogel said the result was in stark contrast to the previous two sales when there had nearly been a total clearance of Poll Dorsets and White Suffolk ewes.
"The British breed sales copped the wrath of the market conditions in spring last year and as of autumn 2024 there is not a lot of feed anywhere in southern Australia which is making people cautious," he said.
"There is still uncertainty in the lamb job too even though I think we have a fair bit of upside to come."
Elders Bordertown conducted the sale.
