Go west, young ram

The bulk of the rams were sold to South Australian and Western Australian properties, but others found homes in New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania.

Dean Trotter, Perillup Estate, Mount Barker, Western Australia, again bought the highest priced ram; last year he also paid $10,000.

Mr Trotter said he chose the ram on its Australian Sheep Breeding Value (ASBV) figures, particularly its eye muscle depth and fat score.

He said Glendemar stud principal Ben Duxson picked out the ram from the catalogue.

“Of the 110 animals, he was the best in the catalogue and they nearly kept him,” Mr Trotter said.

The top priced ram was in the top five per cent for post weaning weight (PWWT) +6.7, post weaning fat (PFAT) +1.7mm, post weaning eye muscle depth (PEMD) +2.8mm and a top 20pc for wool yearling clean fleece weight (YCFW) of +19.8. 

The horned ram’s fleece measured of 20.1 micron.

Mr Trotter said he was keen to stay with Glendemar, although the property had made some small adjustments, recently.

“We have been using some other rams, for the last 12 months, from a stud near Tambellup, it’s a bit of an adjustment to where we are heading and we are yet to see how they will turn out,” Mr Trotter said.

“So far, we haven’t seen any problems with any of the (Victorian) sheep we have on the place, there’s been no problem with fleece issues to worry about making sure the wools can handle weather conditions.”

He said the property joined 5600 ewes, with a 100 per cent lambing, last season.

It was the only ram that Perillup Estate, which was at its 20th Glendemar sale, purchased this year.

Glendemar improved on last year’s results, which saw a near total clearance of the 114 horned and Poll Merinos on offer.

Mr Duxson said Glendemar was a high performance recorded flock that focussed on all three profit drivers in the sheep industry: wool, carcase and surplus sheep. 

“With a big emphasis on ASBVs for all of these traits, the stud presented sheep in the top five to 10pc for carcase traits and top 20pc for wool traits,” Mr Duxson said.

“This year we have displayed the growth, muscle and fat at post weaning, (200 – 220 days) to more reflect our breeding direction of accelerated early growth and maturity.”

“It is the sweet spot of turning wether lambs off early, a big factor in ewe lamb conception’s and helps with mature ewe weight.

“Our and our clients’ focus is on participating in all markets of the sheep industry and with proven carcase measurements and their advantage in conception, and more importantly survivability, we are seeing lambing percentage as the number one profit driver of the sheep industry” 

The average of  $1943 was up on last year’s $1919.

Volume buyers at the sale included Dean and Henry Goodes, Kingston SA, (18), Mick and Hayley O’Connor, Goodooga NSW (15), Peter Nixon Moora WA (12) rams, Bradley and Roxanne Wood, Kendenup WA, (11) and Howard Frampton, Joel South (10).

The second highest price of $4500 was paid for lot 76, by KE&S Warner, Beechworth.

A Merino ram, by sire 131084, was a twin and recorded figures of PWWT of +8.3, PFAT, +1.1, PEMD, +2, a YCFW of +9.4 and 19.3 micron wool.

Mr Duxson said other notable buyers at the top end of the sale were Crawfordbell Investment, Wallendbeen NSW, operating through AuctionsPlus, who took four rams, at an average of $2562 with ASBVs averages of PWT +5.7, PFAT +1, PEMD +1.6, and YCFW of +18.6.

Peter and Christine McKid, Nyngan NSW also took four, at an average of $3062, with ASBVs of PWT +5.8, PFAT +0.9, PEMD +2, YCFW +18.6 and YSL +21.4.

Mr Duxson said buyers were seeking to upgrade their commercial flocsk.

“We are seeing the high prices paid for commercial merino ewes and lambs,” Mr Duxson said.

“On the wool side we have seen particular interest in non-mulesed wool’s, with five to six solid enquires over the past three months.

“The sheep industry is in a good position now, and moving forward it is looking to expand.”

The sale was conducted by Landmark and Elders, St Arnaud.