HASSAD Australia's transition from a fat tailed Awassi flock to a prime lamb operation at Barton Station, Moyston, is behind the operation's buying dominance at composite ram sales in Victoria's west.
Several reports of a 400-ram order for the 8244-hectare property has notably benefited some of the larger composite studs in the Western District, including Cloven Hills, who held an inaugural joint ram sale with Summit Park at Casterton last week.
Hassad Australia livestock buyer Frank Mitchell purchased 35 Cloven Hills rams to $1100, with the total order averaging $752 per head.
It was a strong sale for the stud, who had previously sold privately, selling 91 of 93 rams offered to $1800, av $894. The Cloven Hills sale rams av the top 10 per cent band for the Maternal $Index.
Department of Environment and Primary Industry's Hamilton research centre purchased the top grossing ram – Lot 4 at $1800 – who measured 130 Maternal $Index, birth weight 0.3 kilograms, weaning weight 7kg , post weaning weight 11.1kg and PFAT 0.5.
Phil Rees, Erindale, Balmoral, purchased six rams to $1200, av $1083.
Mr Rees has been active bidder at composite ram sales this year as he steps-outs of the Merino industry and transitions his first-cross flock to a self-replacing prime lamb operation.
Lot 5 pushed Mr Rees to his $1200 limit – a high performing ram that measured 129 M$, NWT 0.3kg, WWT 8.2kg, PWWT 13.2kg and PEMD 1.6.
Energetic bidders Angus and Bobbie McLean, Killara, Coojar purchased eight Cloven Hills rams to $1000, av $750.
"It’s encouraging that buyers recognise the genetic value, and most importantly to us the performance of Cloven Hills ewes they have bred and the lambs turned off from Cloven Hills rams, a process which takes time to assess in a self replacing system," Cloven Hills co-principal Kate Dorahy said.
"We are excited about the future of the lamb industry and see well-bred composite sheep being an important part in delivering consumers quality lamb but ensuring solid producer returns to underpin the industry’s sustainability.
"We are pleased and very appreciative of not only the values buyers were willing to pay at the sale, but the demand in clearing 98% of sale rams plus strong private sale demand afterwards."
Chris and Tania Parker of Summit Park sold eight of 12 rams offered to $500, av $419.
Clyde Lawrence, Karingal, Sandford, near Casterton, purchased majority of the Texel offering, including four, av $438.
Annabelle Beale
National Sheep & Wool Writer for Fairfax Agricultural Media
National Sheep & Wool Writer for Fairfax Agricultural Media
