*22 of 22 White Suffolk stud rams sold to $32,000, av $6810
*149 of 159 White Suffolk flock rams sold to $2600, av $1559
DETPA Grove's 31st annual White Suffolk ram sale recorded a 95 per cent clearance rate on Thursday, one of the best results on record for the stud.
A total of 229 White Suffolk stud and flock rams and stud ewes sold to a top of $32,000 and averaged $2067, the second highest price on record for Nhill-based stud.
The 29 stud rams averaged $6810, with 24 going to registered breeders.
The 149 flock rams sold well, topping at $2600 and averaging $1559.
The sale started with an offering of 59 quality stud ewes with 54 of these finding new homes, topping at $1600 three times and averaging $852.
There were 10 successful bidders on this line including two via AuctionsPlus.
The Kyle family, Ashley Park stud, Bairnsdale paid the $1600 equal top price on two occasions, putting together a line of seven ewes at an average of $1143.
Paula and Elle McDonald, Hopea stud, Dadswell Bridge also went to $1600 for one of six ewes they purchased at a $950 average.
Thirty stud breeders from four states and overseas were among the 77 registered bidders for the ram sale, plus more linked via AuctionsPlus.
It was the buyer of last year's $26,000 top-priced ram, Roger Wilkinson, Camborn stud, Pooncarrie, NSW who purchased the first ram - DG 180275 sired by the $20,000 (half share) Baringa Magnum 16W300 - for $6000.
Two lots later, Mr Wilkinson purchased the top-priced ram AI Warburn 160048 which sold for $32,000.
He said he liked his balance, skin and hair, plus exceptional carcase attributes.
"Initially, I was going to bid by phone, but thought I should come down and have a proper look, which is just as well, otherwise I wouldn't have seen how good he is and probably wouldn't have gone that far without being here," Mr Wilkinson said.
Backing the outstanding phenotype was its equally impressive list of Lambplan figures, highlighted by a weaning weight EBV of 12.5, a post weaning weight of 19.94, fat of -0.59, eye muscle depth of 2.07, plus the highest C+ index of 225 and equal highest TCP index of 154 in the draft.
The Pipkorn family who run Detpa stud said they would retain a semen share in the ram for stud use.
Of very similar type and by the same sire, plus being not far behind on Lambplan figures with a C+ index of 220 and TCP index of 153 was the very next ram offered, DG 180291.
This ram was purchased by William Peck, Bayview Downs stud, Mundulla, SA for the second top price of $25,000.
Denam Carter, Ridge Top stud, Albany, WA connected via phone to successfully bid $15,000 for arguably the most appealing ram in the catalogue for phenotype in DG 180729, also used in the stud as a ram lamb.
Keith Ladyman and Jill Clarke, Kantara stud, Dumbleyung, WA and Stacey and Rob Bush, Rhos Gwyn stud, Mt Barker, WA both purchased classy and high performance rams late in the catalogue at $4000 each, however, it was John Stephenson, Millinup stud, Porongurup, WA who was one of three buyers in the sale who went to $10,000 to get their selection.
This was for DG 180154, sired by DG 140300 and with a C+ index of 214 and TCP index of 145.
Charles Rowett, North Ulandi stud, Marrabel, SA also paid $10,000 for his preferred ram, DG 180643, sired by DG 170421 and with C+ and TCP indices of 205 and 147.
A very appealing late August drop ram, DG 180811 Triplet, sired by DG 160717 Tw took the eye of quite a few lookers pre-sale, but it was Brett Shepherd, Mullinger Park stud, Kybybolite, SA who was most determined in his bidding to also outlay $10,000.
In the 20 specially selected rams and 129 flock rams that followed the stud ram draft, the commercial prime lamb producers were as strong in their competition as the top stud bidders.
Thirty-eight of these topped $2000 while just 23 sold under $1000.
There were 40 successful bidders on these flock rams.