DETPA GROVE WHITE SUFFOLKS
- Total clearance of 25 stud rams sold to $10,000, av $4160, 150 of 157 flock rams to $1800, av $995, and 54 of 66 stud ewes to $2500, av $661.
Considering Detpa Grove White Suffolks’ impressive history in recent decades, this year’s annual ram sale proved to be an exceptional buying opportunity.
The stud rams on offer were arguably the Pipkorn family’s best ever draft for depth of quality, which flowed into into the stud ewes and flock rams.
The 25 stud rams topped at $10,000, averaged $4160 and the 54 stud ewes to a top of $2500, av $661.
In the flock ram draft, the 150 of 157 rams sold to a top of $1800, av $995; which was more rams selling for a higher rate than last year, despite the poor season in the region.
Repeat Western Australian buyer Bruce Buswell, Matilda Downs stud, Mt Barker, purchased the $10,000 top-priced ram, DG140180, a son of Anden 120321. This well balanced ram with length and depth was supported by excellent Lambplan figures of post weaning weight 14.65, post weaning fat -0.44, post eye muscle 2.12 and a Carcase Plus (C+) index of 198.
Mr Buswell had inspected the team post Adelaide Show and was after sons of A120321 and DG120657Tw to complement his other Detpa Grove family lines. Bidding by phone, he was able to get his other top selection, DG140029Tw for $6000. He also bought an August drop son of DG Ricochet 130066 in partnership with Keith Ladyman for $2000.
Ian Kyle, Ashley Park stud, Bairnsdale, paid $8000 for DG140609Tw, a Ricochet son with a C+ index of 214. He added an impressive son of Ricochet’s sire, Burwood 110959ET from an elite stud ewe for $5000. He also purchased two top ewes for $700 and $400.
The competition for the flock ram line was much stronger, with a 96 per cent clearance. Eight astute buyers jumped in on the rams overlooked by stud buyers in that draft and purchased 13 high quality rams catalogued as studs, these adding to the 137 to sell from the flock draft.
The Schmidt family, buying through Elders Hamilton, were strong bidders on the top lots, including one from the stud draft at $1250. They paid the $1800 flock ram top price thrice, av $1494, for their eight selections.
The highlight of the stud ewe section was DG140019Tw, a May drop daughter of DG120657Tw with a C+ index of 209, purchased by $2500 by Duncan Young, Livestock Marketing P/L, operating through Elders Strathalbyn, SA. Mr Young bought 24 of the 54 ewes, av $804.
