ARDENE AUSTRALIAN WHITES
- 18 of 20 stud ewes sold to $2700, av $2200
- 11 of 12 stud rams sold to $5000, av $2300
- Total clearance of 48 flock rams, to $1600 twice, av $1150
Ardene Australian Whites spring stud and flock sale built on the success of the stud’s first ever sale in January.
Principals Bruce and Jannie Hodgson were pleased the $5000 top-priced stud ram equalled January’s sale high, the stud ewes sold for higher prices and there was a better clearance overall.
A draft of 20 stud ewes kicked off the sale and four buyers were successful in securing lots. Rob Coulson, The Point, Birregurra, bought the first ewe that topped the category at $2700. They went on to buy a total of five stud ewes, average $2480.
The top-priced ewe, sired by Tattykeel 126358 and out of Ardene 130004, was an exceptional size and breed type, with good carcase traits including depth of the hindquarter.
The other buyers of the stud ewes were Jim and Patti Doelle, Edenhope, who purchased five to $2600, av $2280; Ash Wilson, Tandara, with three to $2600, av $2200, and M&V Smith, Nhill, with five to $2000, av $1780. The Smiths also purchased three stud rams to $2100, av $2067; and two flock rams for $1100 and $1000.
Overall 18 of 20 stud ewes sold for an av of $2200.
The stud rams sold to equally strong demand, with 11 of 12 selling to a top of $5000, av $2300.
Mr Coulson also purchased one stud ram, being the category’s top-priced lot, which was the champion Australian White ram at Sheepvention at Hamilton. The July-drop ram was by Tattykeel 116191, who was the Sydney Royal Champion in 2013. The impressive animal had exceptional size and muscle definition, with a beautiful hair pattern and good black feet, characteristic of the Australian Whites.
Mr Coulson’s son Allistair also purchased two stud rams for $2400 and $2300 respectively, and a flock ram for $1300.
Allistair said it was the first time the family had purchased Australian White sheep and they were enticed by the breed’s less maintenance, hardiness and more efficiency compared to other breeds.
Allistair plans to put the rams over his Dorpers and father Rob plans to put them over White Suffolks. They are hoping this will introduce hybrid vigour to the flock, in addition to the Australian Whites’ renowned growth rates and muscling.
Allistair said the farming operation runs about 50 per cent cattle and 20pc sheep and they hoped the Australian Whites would help reduce the time and labour required for the existing sheep flock.
In the flock ram draft, there was a total clearance of the 48 lots offered, av $1150, and two lots with plenty of shape and good hair-shedding pattern reached the category top of $1600. The first flock ram to reach $1600 was purchased by the Doelles. The other category topper was purchased by Kym Pretlove, who purchased a total of four flock rams, av $1375.
The Doelles have purchased Australian Whites from foundation breeder Tattykeel, Oberon, NSW, for the past few years and have been very impressed by their performance.
“They grow well and throw consistent lambs,” Mr Doelle said.
“They’re low maintenance – you don’t have to shear or crutch them.”
The Doelles run a commercial flock of about 3000 ewes, currently Dorper-Nudie crosses. He said by changing to Australian Whites, he hoped to tighten the flock’s joining and lambing period.
Other volume buyers included Gamboola Holdings, Mildura, that purchased eight flock rams for $1000 each and Kaloola Station, also of Mildura, with seven flock rams also for $1000 each.
Mrs Hodgson said it was terrific to see new and returning buyers to the stud as the breed continues to grow in popularity thanks to its growth rates, structure and shedding ability. Ewes and rams were sent to Tasmania and Kangaroo Island and other parts of South Australia for the first time, as well as to areas throughout Victoria and into NSW.
