THE third-annual Leonella Border Leicester ram sale had a mixture of new and familiar faces bidding on rams at the Inverleigh event.
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Overall, 52 of 70 rams sold to a top price of $1400 twice for lots 8 and 17, and averaged $952.
Lot 8 was bought by brothers Daniel and Josh Koop, Pine Elgin, Nhill.
Daniel Koop said it was the second year they had bought rams directly from the sale, however had achieved great results with the rams they had used previously from Leonella.
"They make a nice first-cross ewe that covers a bit of ground and they have good growth rates as well," he said.
Lot 8 was sired by Inverbrackie 160409 and recorded a birth weight (BWT) of +0.4 kilograms, a weaning weight (WWT) of +7.29kg and post-weaning weight (PWWT) of +10.99kg.
"I'd marked that one before I got here, just going off the figures, and then as soon as I got here I'd made up my mind," Mr Koop said.
"We've found they're really-tough rams and they're going really well, so we're happy to pay a top price."
Lot 17 was bought by Ballan Ag, Ballan, and owner Andrew Wells said he was looking for a ram with good birth weight to put over first-cross ewes.
The ram had a BWT of +0.25kg, a WWT of +5.9kg and a PWWT of +9.47kg.
"He's got good wool, stands well, doesn't look too big and has a solid, squarey-type shape," Mr Wells said.
Leonella stud principal Noel Lubcke said he was happy with how the sale went, and despite the current market, he was pleased his clients gained some great rams for very-good prices.
"It's allowed people to come in and buy cheaper rams," Mr Lubcke said.
"If you can get your rams out there to new people then you're going to benefit from it."
He said their commercial rams on offer were more popular than stud rams this year, which validated their recent commercial focus.
A volume buyer was Paul Bath, Lake View, who took home five rams, lots 1, 15, 24, 39 and 50.
Mr Bath said he had been buying from the stud on and off for a few years and intended to put the rams over Merino ewes.
Michael Holmes, Carnoah Pastoral, Inverleigh, had been using Leonella genetics for about 15 years.
Mr Holmes also bought a handful of rams at the sale, being lot 2, 4 and 6.
He said they were good, "stocky rams".
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.
