Detpa Grove White Suffolk sale tops $24,000 at Jeparit for $5121 stud average
Summary
Buyers from five states took home more than 130 rams and ewes at the Detpa Grove White Suffolk stud's 38th annual on-property sale at Jeparit on Thursday. The stud offered 156 rams and ewes and sold 136 to a top price of $24,000, with buyers from Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales, Western Australia and Tasmania competing in person and online.
In the breakdown, 29 of the 30 stud rams sold to a top of $24,000 for an average of $5121, while 107 of 126 flock rams sold to a top of $4000 at a $1703 average. Among the stud ewes, 31 of 66 sold to a top of $1800 for a $981 average.
The top-priced ram, lot 86, was a June 2025-drop twin by Valma 232118, out of a double stud ewe. It carried the highest eye muscle depth in the catalogue at +4.56 millimetres, positive fat at +0.18 millimetres and a Terminal Carcase Production index of 165, in the breed's top 10 per cent. It drew 15 online bids, the most of any lot, before selling in half shares to Spring Creek White Suffolk stud, Marong, and Mertex Texel and White Suffolk stud, Antwerp.
The second top-priced ram, lot 68, a son of Legend with a top 1 per cent index of 171, went to GP & CA Armstrong.
Key Data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Rams and ewes offered, sold | 156 offered, 136 sold |
| Top price |
$24,000 |
| Stud rams sold, average | 29 of 30 at $5121 |
| Flock rams sold, top, average | 107 of 126 to $4000 at $1703 |
| Stud ewes sold, top, average |
31 of 66 to $1800 at $981 |
| Terminal Carcase Production index of the top ram | 165 |
| Online bids on the top-priced ram | 15 |
| Largest single draft | 12 flock rams at $1550 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What did the Detpa Grove sale top at?
The sale topped at $24,000 for lot 86, a stud ram. The flock rams topped separately at $4000 and the stud ewes at $1800. The stud rams averaged $5121.
How many lots sold?
The stud offered 156 rams and ewes and sold 136. That comprised 29 of 30 stud rams, 107 of 126 flock rams and 31 of 66 stud ewes.
What figures did the top-priced ram record?
The June 2025-drop twin by Valma 232118 carried the highest eye muscle depth in the catalogue at +4.56 millimetres. It recorded positive fat at +0.18 millimetres and a Terminal Carcase Production index of 165, in the breed's top 10 per cent.
Who bought the top-priced ram?
It sold in half shares to Spring Creek White Suffolk stud, Marong, and Mertex Texel and White Suffolk stud, Antwerp. One buyer cited eye muscle, positive fat, structure, balance and whiteness with no pigmentation, describing the ram as extremely well structured. The other cited an even, balanced set of numbers and a workable pedigree.
What made the other leading prices?
Lot 68, a son of Legend with a top 1 per cent Terminal Carcase Production index of 171, went to GP & CA Armstrong, who also took lot 72 at $6000. Lot 89 sold online for $8000 to Mianelup Grazing Trust, Gnowangerup, and a Legend son made $7500 through Elders Echuca.
Who were the volume buyers?
North Allenvale was the volume buyer with 12 flock rams at a $1550 average, having bought from the stud for more than 10 years to breed first-cross lambs from Merino ewes. A Naracoorte agent brought clients who took 37 head across the sale.
What traits were buyers seeking?
One volume buyer cited low birth weight out of a Merino, high growth rates and high muscle, reporting growth averaging around 420 to 450 grams a day. Agents noted strong stud activity with a lot of competition in the $5000 to $10,000 bracket.
How much was bought online?
Ten of the 48 buyers bought online through AuctionsPlus, three of them from Western Australia. The top-priced ram alone drew 15 online bids, the most of any lot.
