*26 of 44 White Suffolk rams sold to $14,000, av $4942
*9 of 12 White Suffolk ewes sold to $1750, av $839
*1 of 6 Suffolk rams sold for $2000
*6 of 8 Suffolk ewes sold to $1600, av $1067
IT WAS Booloola’s year to top the Elite White Suffolk and Suffolk Sale, and it was a result that took stud principal Shane Baker by complete surprise.
The Baringhup stud sold Lot 1, a White Suffolk ram, for $14,000, the second-highest price the Baker family has ever reached.
“We were hoping for around the $10,000 mark, but this price totally exceeded our expectations,” Mr Baker said.
And it was purchased by a stud not far from the ram’s original home, Spring Creek White Suffolk stud, Marong.
The stud was started by Rosemary Bailey and Rowly McKinnon seven years ago after three decades in the Poll Dorset game.
Ms Bailey said their recently-purchased ram fit in with their breeding objectives, with clean points, a good hindquarter, and smooth shoulder.
The ram recorded a birth weight (BW) of 0.70 kilograms, post-weaning fat depth (PFAT) of -0.7 millimetres and post-weaning eye muscle depth (PEMD) of 1.6mm.
The ram will be joined to the stud’s ewes in November.
The second highest price of the sale was recorded on Lot 32, a White Suffolk ram by Aylesbury Farm, Karoonda, SA.
Stud principal Andrew Krieg said they had had a busy few weeks, also selling rams at the Royal Adelaide Show, SA.
But Mr Krieg said he had saved this ram for Bendigo.
“We find that different genetics suit different markets, and we think we got it right with this one,” he said.
The ram recorded a BW of 0.36kg, PFAT of -0.5mm and PEMD of 1.5mm.
It was bought by Mary Burzacott, Richmond Park Poll Dorset and Suffolk stud, Robe, SA, who said she admired it for its “true Suffolk type”.
It was one of 26 White Suffolk rams to be sold at the multi-vendor sale at Bendigo, which were offered alongside White Suffolk ewes, as well as Suffolk rams and ewes.
The sale recorded a 60 per cent clearance, which event chairman John Jamieson said was an extremely good result, considering the current climate.
“Given the drought, sheep have been presented in excellent condition, and I think this will continue at upcoming on-property sales,” Mr Jamieson said.