HIGH indexing rams with early growth attracted 33 registered buyers to the Waratah White Suffolk, Branxholme, first on-property sale last week.
Topping what has been an outstanding year for stud principals Steve and Debbie Milne, the inaugural on-property sale had firm interest from new and return Western District buyers and resulted in a $928 average.
Earlier this month, a Waratah stud-bred ram, Waratah 130645, June 2013-drop sire, topped the 2014 Elite Stud Sheep Sale at the Royal Adelaide Show, selling at $14,000.
The stud's run of popularity continued this week with 75 of 76 rams offered sold to $2600, and av $928, while 16 of 21 stud ewes sold to $450, av $340.
The top price was paid twice, once by Nathan Down, Newlyn Pastoral, Codrington, who chased the June 2013-drop son of Waratah 120301 for his balance, length and structural correctness.
The ram recorded a birth weight of (BWT) 0.37 kilograms, weaning weight (WWT) 10.9kg, PFAT -0.6 and measured 114 on Lamb2020.
The Milnes retained a 50 per cent semen share of this ram.
By the same sire, the equal top price ram was bought by the Richards family, Tongara stud, Coonalpyn, South Australia.
Check out LMB Linke auctioneer Bernie Grants comments on the sale here
The ram recorded a BWT 0.37kg, WWT 9.0kg, PFAT 0.0 and Lamb2020 115.
Clients who were chasing high indexing rams had plenty to choose from with 45pc of the catalogued rams offered ranking in the top 10pc of the breed for growth in LambPlan and 75pc of the rams sold in the top 10pc for Lamb2020.
"The sale reflected what is happening in the industry with people chasing high growth and early maturing lambs," LMB Linke auctioneer Bernie Grant said.
Volume buyer Phillip Gough, Salamanca Pastoral, Hotspur, purchased 16 rams to $1200, av $856.
The top price paid by Mr Gough was for a June 2012-drop ram that recorded a BWT 0.42kg, WWT 10.2kg and PFAT -1.0.
Another keen bidder was Rod Macgugan, Kanawalla, Hamilton, who purchased 11 rams to $1000, av $755.
In the past, Waratah has sold at multi-vendor auctions, however co-principal Debbie Milne said growing demand had encouraged the stud to have an on-property sale.
Mrs Milne said the strength of the lamb industry was evident at the sale with major buyers selecting rams on leading performance figures.
Annabelle Beale
National Sheep & Wool Writer for Fairfax Agricultural Media
National Sheep & Wool Writer for Fairfax Agricultural Media
