*196 of 230 rams and ewes sold to $5800, av $2002
STUD and commercial buyers from three states have shown strong support for Tasmanian stud, Fairbank, Hagley, with a near total clearance of 220 rams and ewes.
Fairbank offered Southdown, Poll Dorset, White Suffolk, Southdown/Poll Dorset-cross and Charollais-cross rams, as well as Southdown ewes.
The top-priced Southdown ram, Lot 20, had a birth weight of 0.34 kilograms, a weaning weight of 9.91kg and a post-weaning weight of 15.25kg.
Purchased by AW & CM Douglas, Woolsthorpe, he had a post-weaning eye muscle depth of -0.07 millimetres and post-weaning fat of 0.88mm.
The ram's terminal carcase production index was 117.78 and lamb eating quality was 111.47.
Fairbank stud co-principal Chris Badcock said there was strong demand for all categories of rams and ewes.
"We were a bit overwhelmed with the support we received, we had more rams than last year, so it wasn't surprising we had a few left over," Mr Badcock said.
"It's not a bad thing, because you know everyone has got what they wanted and didn't go away disappointed.
"There were some interstate studs as well, sheep have gone into NSW and Victoria.
"And it wasn't just local commercial support, there were buyers in Victoria as well."
He said not being able to exhibit at this year's Australian Sheep & Wool Show, Bendigo, didn't seem to dampen enthusiasm for the stock offered by Fairbank.
There was a lot of activity on AuctionsPlus, including from Tasmanian buyers.
"I think the [top] ram had the right combination of genetics, as well as the estimated breeding values - he ticked a lot of boxes," Mr Badcock said.
"He was a nice, balanced ram and structurally very correct."
He said great prices for prime lamb had reflected in stud sales
"People are becoming very selective as to the type of ram they want, and are prepared to pay a premium," he said.
Nutrien Ag Solutions agent Cooper Lamprey said the sale stock presented well.
Mr Lamprey said the rams were a "little bit behind", due to the season being three to four weeks late.
"But they still looked good for the season we have had - it's been wet, cold and there's been no sun," he said.
"The sheep will go ahead in leaps and bounds once the sun comes out."
Andrew Miller
I'm a general reporter with Stock & Land, with a special interest in irrigation issues. I completed my cadetship, with the Age, in 1980. Over my career, I've worked for ABC radio news (Mt Isa, Qld) and at provincial and suburban newspapers.
I'm a general reporter with Stock & Land, with a special interest in irrigation issues. I completed my cadetship, with the Age, in 1980. Over my career, I've worked for ABC radio news (Mt Isa, Qld) and at provincial and suburban newspapers.
