Top Waratah ram headed north-west to improve genetics at new stud

Stud principal Steve Milne said he was pleased with the result, crediting the top-priced $9000 ram purchased by Shane and Jodie Foster, Boonaroo White Suffolks, Casterton.

"[The ram] has very balanced ASBVs with good structure and was used in the stud as a ram lamb," he said.

"He is a moderate-frame ram with plenty of muscle, excellent structure and low birth weight

The stud sold nine stud rams to a top of $9000 and averaged $4156, while 28 of 30 ewes sold to a top of $700 and averaged $455.

Martin and Kirsty Harvey, Paxton Studs, Western Flat, South Australia, bought the second-top priced ram for $6500.

"He has terrific growth, low birth weight and fantastic eating quality with a LEQ index of 157, placing him in the top one per cent in Australia," Mr Milne said.

Repeat stud ram buyers Leigh and Jayne Richards, Tongara White Suffolks, Coonalpyn, SA purchased two lots for $3600 and $2000, respectively.

Volume buyers included Philip Gough, Salamanca Pastoral Co, Hotspur, who purchased 11 rams to a top of $3100 and averaged $2182.

Rod Macgugan, Kanawalla Pastoral Co, Hamilton, secured 10 rams to a top of $1200 and averaged $870.

John and Jo Forsyth, Cavendish, bought eight rams at an average of $1513.

Top price ram buyer Shane Foster said the ram would be used to improve genetics.

"He caught our attention with his very low birth weight and he also had excellent carcase data as well," he said.

"He is very thick and long and his structure was spot on which was very important.

"We breed our own rams, we have a small stud and then we do sell some rams ourselves so he'll be used to breed more terminal sires but also his females we'll use for breeding maternal ewes as well."