Ardene Australian Whites
Total clearance of 28 stud ewes, sold to $2800 twice, av $1825
Total clearance of 10 stud rams, sold to $5250, av $3300
Total clearance of 65 flock rams, sold to $2600, av $1440
RAIN, hail, shine or strong winds at Ardene’s second on-property spring stud and flock sale last Friday did not dampen the spirits of the Hodgson family or the clients and their buying power.
With a disastrous start to the morning with their sale venue rearranged by the strong winds and the early morning inch of rain, the day finished on a high. Recording a total clearance of all 103 lots offered with an overall average of $1684.
Principals Bruce and Jannie Hodgson were very pleased with the sale result.
“We are pleased with the our clients and new clients that are believing in this breed as much as we do, we have been happy with how the sheep have handled the wet season, which is a testament to the breed,” Mrs Hodgson said.
The 28 stud ewes kicked off the sale with Lot 30 selling for the top price of $2800. Repeat buyers VI,NJ&AJ Wilson purchased this twin July/August drop ewe. She was sired by Ardene 130043 and out of Ardene 130004.
While lots 1 and 2 sold for the second top price of $2750 both going to Rob, Suzie and Allistair Coulson, The Point Pastoral, Birregurra. They went on to buy a total of four ewes to average $2350.
Overall there was a total clearance of the 28 stud ewes, which sold for an average of $1825.
The stud rams sold to equally strong demand, with all 10 rams selling to a top of $5250 to average $3300. This average is $1000 up on 2015’s average.
Lot 31, Ardene 140006, commonly known as “6” was the first stud ram to enter the sale ring. He sold for the sales top price of $5250 to Leridan Farms, Collector, NSW. This two year-old twin ram had tremendous stretch, softness, meat muscle and an impeccable temperament.
“6” has been successfully shown since he was a lamb. He was third in the lamb class at Australian Sheep and Wool Show, Bendigo, in 2014 and Champion Australian White Ram at Sheepvention, Hamilton, in 2016.
He was a stud favourite for is exceptional temperament and personality.
He has been used extensively in the stud, producing soft well muscled offspring, some of which were in the sale.
One son, Ardene Atlas 160059, has just been used in the stud ET program at six months of age.
Leridan Farms are repeat buyers to Ardene; they purchased a total of six lots on the day to average $3133.
In the flock ram draft, there was a total clearance of the 65 lots offered, to average $1440, which is up $290 from 2015.
Lot 42 was the category topper, purchased by repeat buyer Jim Coutts, Carisbrook. Mr Coutts runs a commercial operation of Australian White-cross ewes.
One volume buyer for the day was IR&GM Benson, buying through Roberts Ltd, Tasmania. They purchased seven flock rams to average $1271.
Roberts was also on hand to assist Cooper Lamprey, Moriarty, Tas, with purchasing his foundation animals.
Mr Lamprey said he had been following the Australian Whites breed for many years and loved the look of the Ardene sheep.
“I am after sheep with good length, shape, hair pattern and black points,” Mr Lamprey said. They were successful in purchasing one stud ewe and ram during the auction and a further two ewes after auction.
Jody Darcy, Elders, said that it was very good to see the breed getting access into new areas including in Gippsland, South Australia, Tas and NSW, which showed the breed’s versaility.
