Chrome pays top again

The ram was sired by Cashmore Oaklea 101631 and had a maternal index of 138, which takes into account birth-weight, weaning-weight, post-weaning weight, fat depth, fertility and greasy fleece among other traits.

The ram also boasted leading performance figures of 0.1 Milk, 6.2 weaning weight, 10.8 post weaning weight, 0.6 fat index and a high 22 per cent number of lambs weaned.

The price tag was cheap, however, compared to the $10,200 the Tonissens paid for a ram at Chrome's on propery sale earlier this year.

Overall 55 of 59 rams offered by the seven vendors averaged $1473.

Pedigree and Lambplan figures was the motivator for Chrome Sheep Studs, Hamilton co-principals Matt and Tanya Tonissen to committedly chase lot 3 to the sale high.

The ram was sired by Cashmore Oaklea 101631 and had a maternal index of 138, which takes into account birth-weight, weaning-weight, post-weaning weight, fat depth, fertility and greasy fleece among other traits.

The ram also boasted leading performance figures of 0.1 Milk, 6.2 weaning weight (WWT), 10.8 post weaning weight (PWWT), 0.6 FAT and a high 22 per cent number of lambs weaned (NLW).

Cashmore Park, Cashmore and sister-stud Oaklea, Mount Gambier enjoyed a total clearance of two rams offered, av $1720 and $2080 respectively.

Victorian studs Waradgery, Glenholm, Boonerah and Chrome sold their whole consignments av $1163, $867, $1800 and $1033 respectively.

"Overall the sale results show the strength of the self-replacing concept," Mr Tonissen said.

Cashmore Park principal John Keiller said buyers were selective with leading genetics and Lambplan figures receiving the highest prices during the sale.

"Self-replacing performance rams - the Coopworth-maternal composites - are market driven, commercial focused animals that drive genetic improvement and economic gains," Mr Keiller said. "They're market sensitive money systems."

Mr Keiller said the Coopworth National ram sale highlighted this year's trend that has seen a traditional first-cross producers move to self-replacements with nearly 20pc of new registered buyers undergoing this flock transition.

"Prime lamb systems have become increasingly specialist orientated, we are now demanding more from our animals than what cheap ewes can give and looking at those relevant estimated breeding values," he said.

"This season there has been a shift with money moving to where there is better return."

The second highest price was $2600, paid for lot 11, a Cashmore Oaklea 112928 son who ranked

139 on the maternal index and measured - 0.2 Milk, 8.3 WWT, 12.8 PWWT, -1.3 FAT and 19pc NLW.

He was purchased by Tarra Park Partnership, through Landmark, Hamilton.

SKB Rodwells, Warrnambool client OB Livestock was a relatively large buyer which purchased six Oaklea offered rams to $2200, av $2017.

Coopworths Genetics Australia president Tim Johnston of Waradgery said despite Western Victoria's short spring and drying conditions, the sale result was strong reflecting demand for the Coopworth rams.