*Total clearance of 6 stud rams sold to $5250, av $4292
*Total clearance of 20 ewes sold to $2250 (four times), av $1763
*Total clearance of 67 flock rams sold to $2500, av $1394
Buyers came from the climate extremes of South Australia to Tasmania, for Gamadale Australian White stud’s second on-property sale.
In the total clearance of all lines, Gamadale, Lascelles, significantly improved its stud ram top price and sale average by more than $1000.
Stud principal Nip Rowney said he was amazed at the distance buyers travelled, for the sale.
“Buyers came from Ceduna, Port Augusta, Portland, Dubbo and Tasmania,” Mr Rowney said.
“They were mainly from small studs, starting up.”
Mr Rowney said buyers were seeking out the Australian White, because of its hardy nature.
“They’re easy care, there’s no shearing, no flies, no lice,” he said.
Repeat buyer Allen Donnell, Beeamma, Western Flat, SA, paid the top price of $5250 for a stud ram.
“He will be one of the foundation sires, I’ve been establishing an Australian White stud for the last two years,” Mr Donnell said.
“He’s got good volume and good size.”
The April-2017 drop ram was sired by Tattykeel 150826, out of Gamadale 150100.
He said the pure Australian Whites compared very favorably in weight gain, to his Samm/Merino-cross, run with a White Suffolk terminal.
He said the eating quality of the Australian White was exceptional.
“The thing with this sheep is it has enough marbling, which helps enhance eating quality, and that’s important,” Mr Donnell said.
“We are doing prime lamb, so this breed fills the niche.”
Mr Donnell said he was running sheep in range country, which contained a lot of rough pasture, such as veldt grass.
“These animals can be put into an area and hardly be looked at for months, but they also cope very well with very high rainfall,” he said.
Wallaby Creek stud, Harford, Tasmania, took home two new stud sires and three stud ewes.
Stud principal Cooper Lamprey agreed the dressing percentages from the Australian Whites were very good.
“They are doing really well, they are holding up very well in the feet, for our wet conditions,” Mr Lambrey said.
He said he was adding the Gamadale genetics to those purchased from Ardene, Darlington, last year.
“I want to swap it up a little bit.”
The sale was conducted by Landmark and Elders.
Andrew Miller
I'm a general reporter with Stock & Land, with a special interest in irrigation issues. I completed my cadetship, with the Age, in 1980. Over my career, I've worked for ABC radio news (Mt Isa, Qld) and at provincial and suburban newspapers.
I'm a general reporter with Stock & Land, with a special interest in irrigation issues. I completed my cadetship, with the Age, in 1980. Over my career, I've worked for ABC radio news (Mt Isa, Qld) and at provincial and suburban newspapers.
