LSK blitzes second sale as rams sell to $2900

Local support drove competitive bidding but it wasn't until the run of the Suffolks that the top-priced ram came through.

Lot 111 was a twin spring-drop ram out of Allendale 136/18, who was the record ram at the Allendale sale in 2019.

The ram had Australian Sheep Breeding Values 0.5 for birthweight, 12.92 for post weaning weight and 1.5 for post weaning eye muscle depth.

He was secured for $3000 by Elk River Suffolks, Horsham, with Australian Wool Network representative Luke Barber purchasing on the day.

"Elk River is just establishing, and we like the ram for the new genetics he had," Mr Barber said.

"He was a big upstanding ram, with a good depth of hindquarter, and great structure.

"I was deciding between him and another ram, but decided on Lot 111 for his meat and muscle, and he had better figures."

Two Poll Dorsets, lots 15 and 16, were the second top-priced, and were secured by Jess Menzel, Elo Vera, Hamilton, for $2900 each.

Ms Menzel was purchasing from LSK for the second year, and secured seven rams in total at the sale for an average of $2671.

"I was really happy with the percentages we received from the rams purchased last year, and we decided to come back again," she said.

"The Poll Dorset rams purchased today will go over our first-cross ewes, which we retain the ewe portion to join to a White Suffolk.

"Traditionally we have purchased from South Australia, but last year it was not possible to travel, but LSK have the genetics I like."

Volume buyer was new client, Hexham local Jack Roxburgh, Coomete Pty Ltd.

Mr Roxburgh secured 10 Poll Dorset rams for a top of $1700 and average of $1630, and 11 Suffolk rams for a top of $1300 and average of $1064.

"We were after terminal rams with low birthweight and high growth rates, ones that were going to bend the curve," he said.

"The sale support was exceptionally strong, that most of the rams I had ticks against, I couldn't secure.

"We traditionally join Poll Dorsets to our composite ewes, but it was suggested that we try Suffolks this year, and I look forward to doing that.

"The sheep were presented really well today, and you could see the effort that the stud had put in."

Another volume buyer purchasing at the sale was Mount Emu Creek Pastoral, Pomborneit, who secured three Charollais-cross rams and 10 Suffolk rams to average $1085.

Also purchasing a large draft of rams was Ollie Warner, Dundonnell, who secured three Charollais-cross and 10 Suffolk rams for an average of $1046.

Stud principal Lachie Kelly was grateful for all of the support received from new and return clients, and wished everyone the best with their rams.

"The support from our clients gives us the confidence to continue investing in the best genetics we can find, which will result in the best prime lamb sires being in their paddocks," he said.

"We have a long-term view of breeding rams and therefore the integrity of our product and service is what we hold highest.

"Our focus for the stud moving forward is to produce the ultimate combination of performance through sheep breeding values, breed type and structure."