*212 of 240 Border Leicester ewes sold to $3000 (twice), av $828
*2 of 4 Border Leicester rams sold for $4000 each
*64 of 96 Southdown ewes sold to $1000, av $582
JOHNO'S Border Leicester and Southdown stud, Eurack, cleared the decks with its stud dispersal and buyers came from as far as South Australia to pick up larger numbers of breeders with consistently good figures.
Jeff and Raelene Johnson started the stud 40 years ago and benefited from the optimistic market at their dispersal sale.
They sold 212 of 240 Border Leicester ewes for an average of $828, 64 of 96 Southdown ewes for an average of $582 and two Border Leicester rams of four for $4000 each.
Two Border Leicester ewes made the top price of $3000; one was sold to Glencorrie Border Leicester stud, Maitland, SA, and the other to Womboota Border Leicester stud, Womboota, NSW.
Two ewe lambs sold for $2200 each and the highest Southdown was sold for $1000.
Volume buyers Michael and Julie Osborne, Ryeview Border Leicester stud, Millicent, SA, bought seven ewes, including Lot 126 for $2600, a four year-old ewe who they picked in the catalogue for having top indexes including weaning weight, post weaning weight, positive fat and number of lambs weaned who they expect multiple births from in the future.
Mr Osborne was the losing bidder on the $15,000 ram at Naracoorte, SA, so he was keen to get access to the genetics in other ways.
The characteristics that attracted the Osbornes to Johno's sheep over the years were the good legs and feet that match the on-paper figures.
Mr Osborne said the Johno's sheep have been reliable and dependable over the years.
"If Johno's figures are good on paper, we know the sheep will reliably breed those figures in the paddock," he said.
Elders agent Ross Milne said it was a good clearance rate, and a great and solid average for a dispersal.
"I'm confident this is an indication that the clients know Johno's product and they know the short-term future for sheep looks very sound, that's why they're buying females," Mr Neil said.
He said he thought this sale was particularly poignant for the district as the Johnsons had a wide following of local clients.
"The opportunity to buy numbers of ewes that have 40 years of breeding was not to be missed," he said.
An emotional Mr Johnson addressed the crowd at the end of the sale but he was later pragmatic.
"It's been a great sale and I'm so pleased we have been able to be part of establishing and maintaining new studs over the years," he said.
The couple was looking forward to continuing their commercial operation.
