THE WHITE Suffolk section of the annual West Wail ram sale, held in Horsham last Thursday, was the highlight of the day, with the Ellis family recording an excellent clearance rate in that line.
The Dohne sale that followed was tougher, but Elders Horsham agent Andrew Adamson said it was still up on the figures from last year's sale.
Mr Adamson said 91 out of 100 White Suffolk rams offered sold, with a top price of $1350 paid by repeat buyer James McCredden of Mitre.
The average price of $767 was up $45 on last year.
"It was a good sale with plenty of depth throughout the yarding for buyers," Mr Adamson said.
On the volume side, Marshall Rodda of Tarranyurk, near Warracknabeal, bought eight rams.
Trevor and Dane Quick, Noradjuha, near Horsham, bought six while John Quick, Nurrabiel, south-west of Horsham bought five, along with the Maher family, Marlu Partnership, Lubeck, near Murtoa and AD&JL Grimble, Brimpaen, south of Horsham.
"We had very strong local support. Repeat buyers were in behind the sale, but we also got a number of first time customers as well," Mr Adamson said.
White Suffolk stud manager at West Wail Jason Ellis said he was very happy with the result.
He said the stud was primarily working at providing a good quality offering of flock rams although he said he was confident they could also stand up at stud level.
Jason said the breeding objective was to provide sheep with high fertility and a strong muscle profile, while also retaining stretch and shape for ease of lambing.
He said the stud had taken a decision to use a variety of sires to boost the genetics and add depth to the flock.
One of those sires was the top priced ram at the Bendigo Elite White Suffolk sale in 2012, along with West Wail genetics.
In the Dohne section, at face value the sale was much tougher.
Only 19 of 50 rams sold, to an average of $850.
However, Mr Adamson said the Dohnes were also up on last year.
"There were 22 of 60 sold last year, and the price was $37 a head up on last year.
"Competition was very keen on the good rams."
The top price of $1500 was paid by Ben Coad, Shelford, a first time buyer at the sale.
He was also the volume buyer, picking up six rams.
"We've had some good success with Dohnes in our area near Geelong. They just do really well, they are easy to manage."
The Cooper family, Glenorchy, near Stawell, also bought six Dohne rams.
Luke Ellis, Dohne stud manager at West Wail, said he was pleased to see new buyers at the sale and said he was optimistic about the breed's fortunes.
"We're pretty positive about the future of Dohnes, they are a really good fit for a lot of people."
Gregor Heard
National grains writer for Fairfax Agricultural Media.
National grains writer for Fairfax Agricultural Media.
