A SHOW-winning Border Leicester ram has achieved the top price at Jackson Farming's spring ram sale.
The top-priced ram at the Moyston sale was Lot 13, a specially-selected ram in the sale's line up from the stud's July/August 2022-drop.
It was purchased by Gleneith Border Leicester stud, Ganmain, NSW, who produced Lot 13's sire.
The ram was sired by Gleneith Fred 356/20 and out of 407/18, with a birth weight of .45 kilograms and a post-weaning weight of 10.57kg.
Gleneith Border Leicester stud co-principal Nathan Kember said he was looking to improve weaning weight in his own stud.
Mr Kember said the ram matched what they were looking for and they had confidence in its progeny, considering the ram's sire was from their stud.
He said they had also used Lot 13's semen previously and were happy with the results, "so we've bought the genetics back".
"He's a very well-balanced ram with good figures, so he could pretty much go to any ewe and you know you're going to get a pretty-good-quality sheep," he said.
With an array of champion titles in tow, Lot 13 was awarded Australian Sheep & Wool Show supreme Border Leicester exhibit this year and supreme longwool exhibit in the interbreed ring.
The Kember family don't intend to continue showing the ram as they manage a mixed-farming set up including Merino sheep and a cropping operation on 1800 hectares.
Jackson farming stud principals and father-and-son duo David and Ross Jackson said they were pleased with the result.
David Jackson said despite not clearing as many Border Leicesters as they would have liked, they were very happy with the total clearance of Poll Dorset rams and Border Leicester ewes.
"It worked out just about as I thought it would," Mr Jackson said.
"We had just a few too many and we had to pass them in, but all the others sold at today's values and the ewes sold particularly well."
He said he had a feeling Lot 13 would have been the pick of the sale, considering his quality of its wool and showing accolades.
Overall, 77 of the 102 Border Leicester rams cleared and averaged $1432, while there was a total clearance of the 11 Border Leicester ewes on offer that averaged $1163 and topped at $2000.
There was a total clearance of 50 Poll Dorset rams, with an average price of $1008, and a top price of $1400.
Elders stud stock agent Ross Milne said the line up of rams was as good an offering as the stud had put up in its 24 years, yet the current market conditions meant it was a tougher sale.
"It was a good, fair sale and we obviously would've loved to clear a few more rams," Mr Milne said.
"But it was great to see a few-more repeat buyers and new faces here, which is encouraging for the future."
Holly McGuinness
Holly is a journalist for Australian Community Media, covering South Coast, NSW. As a born and bred Shoalhaven local, she's passionate about covering community concerns and amplifying local voices. To get in contact, email holly.mcguinness@austcommunitymedia.com.au.
Holly is a journalist for Australian Community Media, covering South Coast, NSW. As a born and bred Shoalhaven local, she's passionate about covering community concerns and amplifying local voices. To get in contact, email holly.mcguinness@austcommunitymedia.com.au.
