*Total clearance of six Southdown stud rams sold to $6500, av $3566
*58 of 59 Southdown rams sold to $1700, av $1119
*55 of 62 Poll Dorset rams sold to $1600, av $1040
*Total clearance of 10 Southdown-cross rams sold to $1500, av $1050
*35 of 40 White Suffolk rams sold to $1600, av $963
*16 of 21 Southdown ewes sold to $1100, av $688
WITH 198 lots on offer, buyers were spoilt for choice as three breeds were presented for purchase at Fairbank stud’s recent 14th annual on-property sale at Hagley, Tasmania.
Of the 198 lots, a total of 177 selected rams went under the hammer to achieve a sale average $1145, with 164 sold.
Around 45 registered buyers from predominantly northern Tasmania and across Victoria, enjoyed good value buying with the option to purchase both ewes and rams on the day.
Impressing with his statistics, the top-priced Southdown ram, Lot 28, sired by New Zealand sire Mapua 14106, achieved a high of $6500, and was successfully bid for by Henry Cameron, Penshurst.
The ET breed ram was recently awarded first place for the meat yield class at the Southdown National Show at Geelong Royal.
Vendor Chris Badcock said Lot 28 presented “good balanced LambPlan EBVs” and “was a moderate ram with good bone and muscling”.
Good value buying was the theme of the day with Mineral Banks property manager Ron Berwick, Ringarooma, buying on behalf of the Foster family, Campbelltown, Tasmania, bidding well to purchase eight Southdown rams.
Travelling from Meredith proved successful for Rod and Jan Knight, who snapped up five Southdown ewes to add their flock.
The Knights paid $1100 twice for the Lot 1 and 2 ewes.
Selecting sound White Suffolk rams with moderate birth were buyers Marion and Richard Ellis, Bothwell, Tasmania, who purchased five rams.
Topping the volume buyers for the sale was Poll Dorset buyer Markarna Park property manager Darren Grace, Flinders Island, who sent 12 Poll Dorset rams home to the island.
Mr Grace paid $1600 four times for Lot 146, 147, 148, and 49.
The Lot 146 ram rated impressively, being in the top 1 per cent for its Carcase Plus Index and EMD on the LambPlan terminal analysis results.
Stud co-principal Chris Badcock said the sale result was “very pleasing” when compared to previous year as an additional 20 rams were offered.
“The rams presented extremely well and was great to see a mix of new and existing clients,” Mr Badcock said.
