AUSTRALIAN WHITES
* 51 of 69 stud rams sold to $3100, av $1930
* Total clearance of 18 stud ewes to $2500, av $1767
FIRST time buyers set the pace at the multi-vendor Australian White ram sale at Narrandera, NSW, on Monday when rams topped at $3100 and ewes at $2500.
Rams cleared 51 of 69 to average $1930, and there was a 100 per cent clearance on the 18 ewes offered av $1767.
Allan Moulds, Kombia, Naradhan, NSW, paid the top price of $3100 to secure his first ever Australian White ram.
Tattykeel-140024 was sired by Tattykeel-760013 and out of dam Tattykeel-126061.
His sire was shown at Bendigo in 2013 as a lamb and was the stud's best scanner for eye muscle.
Mr Moulds runs 900 White Dorper ewes and will join the ram to his top young ewes next month.
"His depth stood out; he was the best ram on offer so I wasn't going to leave him behind," Mr Moulds said.
He said eventually he aimed to cross to a pure Australian White flock to achieve a premium in the saleyards.
Murray Dykes, Mount Boorithumble, Euabalong West, NSW, put together a strong draft of 14 rams and nine ewes, for a top of $1700, av $1527.
He will cross the Australian Whites with his Dorper ewes until he achieves a purebred flock.
Billimari, NSW, producer Michael Skipper, Bereni Pastoral Company, made his first purchase of the breed, securing seven rams to a top of $2750, av $2143.
He will introduce the rams to his White Dorper flock and also aims to cross over completely to Australian Whites.
"My agent recommended them as a good cross for us, and today I was really looking for those black feet which will suit our soft country," he said.
Condobolin, NSW, producer Russell Jones, Needlewood, also took home seven rams to a top of $2300, av $2129.
He had been buying Australian Whites for three years and was joining rams with his Dorper and first-cross ewes – again heading for a purebred Australian White flock.
First time buyer of the breed Robert Durie, Three Trees, Trundle, NSW, secured six ewes to a top of $2500, av $2167.
Auctioneer Michael Glasser, Glasser Total Sales Management, Albury, NSW, said there was strong support from buyers from the pastoral areas and central Victoria.
"The opportunity to secure those quality ewes first up really kicked off the sale in a good light," he said.