Chandpara Southdowns
*Total clearance of 47 rams to $3300, av $1116
*Total clearance of 18 ewes to $750, av $667
RETURN and first-time buyers have snapped up all 65 Southdown rams and ewes on offer at Chandpara’s annual production sale at Tylden last Friday.
All 47 rams cleared, to a top of $3300, av $1116, which is up $294 on last year’s average.
All 18 ewes cleared, to a top price of $750, av $667.
Gordon Branson, Banquet White Suffolks, Mortlake, purchased the top-priced ram, who was sired by Clifton Downs 241/10.
Mr Branson runs about 250 White Suffolk ewes, and has decided to add Southdowns to his operation.
“There’s demand for Southdowns at the moment, so I’m going to give them a try, I haven’t bought any ewes yet, this is my first ram,” Mr Branson said.
He said he’s seen Chandpara’s sheep around before.
“They’re well known, I guess because they’ve been around for a long time,” he said.
He said he liked the length and structure on the top-priced ram.
“He had a bit more length on him, which is what I like, he’s got good shoulders, and is good on his feet, he’ll go over White Suffolk ewes.”
Chandpara stud principal Andrew Sellars-Jones said it was a well attended sale.
“Everything sold, and the average was up significantly on last year,” Mr Sellars-Jones said.
“The sheep looked good, there were return buyers, and a few new clients too.”
He said buyers were returning for their established bloodlines.
“We’ve got a long history of breeding that’s gone on for over 40 years,” he said.
“They have easy lambing, are fast maturing, and breed very true.”
The sale was conducted by Landmark.
