*120 of 124 rams sold to $5000, av $1543
A Western Australian buyer has continued the strong links between the state and a central Victorian White Suffolk stud.
Nick Cheetham, Cheetara, Narembeen, WA, paid top price for Lot 1 at the Booloola White Suffolk sale, Baringhup.
Stud principal Shane Baker said he'd had a lot of buyer support, from the west, for many years.
"I bought a ram out of there for $15,500 earlier this year, and I've had animals go over there in the past," Mr Baker said.
"I think part of why it's been so successful for us is that they see our bloodlines in a lot of the pedigrees over there.
"They see how well the rams perform."
A total of five rams went west this year.
"That's the largest amount of rams we have sold to WA," he said.
"I've been over there and looked at their sheep, and my sheep go over there and perform in their conditions.
"It's held us in good stead.
"It's been a very good market for us, since about 2012."
Lot 1 had a birth weight of .20 kilograms, a post-weaning weight of 16.4kg, a -0.5-millimetre post-weaning fat and a post-weaning eye muscle depth of 1.7mm.
He was sired by A160516-Ashmore, purchased in partnership with Induro and Omad studs for $13,000.
"He had well-balanced figures with extremely positive fat and eating qualities," Mr Baker said.
Mr Baker said the top-priced ram was one of the best three or four animals in the sale.
"We thought he was a good sheep and we knew there was a bit of interest in him, so we were pleased to see him go to a stud," he said.
"He's an easy doing-type animal, with a moderate frame, plenty of length, a lovely deep hindquarter and very true to type."
The ram had been shown throughout the season, as part of a senior pair.
"They've been in the ribbons at every show we've been to," he said.
Lot 1 and 3, which sold for $3000, had been successfully exhibited at the Australian Sheep & Wool Show, Sheepvention and the White Suffolk Elite Show and Sale.
Elders Bendigo livestock manager Nigel Starrick said it was one of the most even line-ups of rams he had ever seen.
"They were as even as peas in a pod, it was a credit to the Baker family," Mr Starick said.
"The facts and figures on the rams were a stand-out.
"It was a magnificent run, it was one of the only sales I've been to where every registered buyer purchased a ram."
He said Booloola had increased the number of rams on offer and that was reflected in buyer support.
"That's due to the success he's had in the show ring and the way he presented his rams," he said.
Mr Starick said he wasn't surprised at the interest from WA purchasers, as Mr Baker had spent a lot of time there.
"He has got respect for his rams, but he's getting some good genetics from out of there as well," he said.