HORSHAM BORDER LEICESTER SALE
*24 of 29 rams sold to $16,500, av $7000
*Total clearance of six ewes sold to $1200, av $1016
MANY records were broken at the 2017 Border Leicester Show and Sale last week, which was held at the Horsham Showgrounds.
Twelve Border Leicester studs from Victoria, New South Wales, and South Australia, offered a total of 29 Border Leicester rams, and sold 24, to an average price of $7000, which is up a significant $2761 on last year.
Geraldine Border Leicester stud, Clydebank, sold the ram that hit the highest price of $16,500, as well as four others, av $9800.
Stud principal Ian Baker said it was the highest price he has ever sold a ram for.
“We sold one for $15,000 four or five years ago, but this is the highest price we’ve ever sold one for,” Mr Baker said.
“He’s got a beautiful fleece of wool on him, he’s long, he stands well on his feet, and he paraded well too.”
The ram weighed 127 kilograms, and recorded a 46 millimetre eye muscle depth, and a 14mm fat depth.
It was bought by Tom Munro, Taronga Park stud, Hynam, SA, who is a first-time buyer from the stud.
“I was looking for a ram that suited my operation, who is well put together and nice and muscly, and this ram was a nice, stylish, long ram, with a good even fleece on him,” Mr Munro said.
He said the ram would be joined to about 100 ewes in late February.
“I’m hoping he’ll add a bit more length, and a bit more style in the head, to our flock,” he said.
The second top-priced ram was bought off Emily and Scott Davidson, Morton Border Leicester stud, Lucindale, SA, for $14,000, by Glencollie Pty Ltd, SA.
The stud sold two other rams, hitting an average of $6600.
Ellingerrin Border Leicester stud, Modewarre, also had a successful day, selling five to a top of $12,000, av $9000.
Stud principal Heather Stoney said these prices are her highest ever, and credits the overall success of the sale to the current market situation.
“Things are going really well, as far as first-cross ewes and prime lambs go, so demand for Border Leicesters has been extreme,” Ms Stoney said.
She said the ram won a first place ribbon the Royal Geelong Show recently.
“He has a terrific carcase, is a very stylish ram, and presents himself very well,” she said.
Ellingerrin also sold the top-priced Border Leicester ewe, at $1200, of which there were six offered, av $1016.
“She is a very stylish ewe, and has a very nice fleece on her,” she said.
She also said Geraldine’s top-priced ram was sired by one of her rams that had been purchased at Horsham a few years ago.
“That was nice to see the ram’s progeny come back and do so well,” she said.
Ms Stoney said it was great for the Border Leicester industry that most of the studs had such a strong sale.
“I was very excited actually, it was a terrific sale,” she said.
Johno’s Border Leicester stud, Eurack, sold one at $10,500, Jackson Farming, Moyston, sold two at $5000 each, and Bauer Border Leicester stud, Ariah Park, NSW, also sold two at $5000.
Tara stud, Rockley, NSW, sold one at $4000, Black Gate Border Leicesters, Wycheproof, sold one at $5500, Glenlee Park Border Leicester stud, Glenlee, sold two, av $3625, and Pina Border Leicester stud, Colbinabbin, sold two, av $2500.
