Leahcim White Suffolk stud posts full clearance of 140 rams with its average up $634 to $2198 and an $8200 top
Summary
Strong performance figures and structural correctness underpinned a full clearance at the 39th annual Leahcim White Suffolk stud on-property sale at Snowtown, held three days after the family's $1.2 million Poll Merino sale. All 140 White Suffolk rams sold for an average of $2198, up $634 on the previous year, while the top price edged higher to $8200 for Lot 11. The top-priced ram, a June 2025-drop, was bought to head into stud duties and was praised for its structural correctness, type and balance of figures. It ranks in the top 5 per cent of the industry for dressing percentage, Terminal Carcase Plus and Lamb Eating Quality, and in the top 10 per cent for weaning weight, post-weaning weight and post-weaning eye muscle depth. Many buyers who had secured rams at the stud's Poll Merino sale returned for White Suffolk sires, reflecting strong cross-breed loyalty. The major volume buyer, Sparks Farming, Canowie Belt, took 25 rams for a $1928 average. Other South Australian support came from Arapunya Investments, Mintaro, on 10 rams at a $2760 average, and Anama Holdings, Clare, on 10 sires at $1900. Stud interest included Anna Villa, Weetulta, on two rams at a $3200 average, and Strathfield, Stockport, at $3200. The stud principal welcomed the wide spread of buyers as a sign of optimism in the sheep industry, highlighting the program's performance data recording, structural soundness and meat content, and noting the rams were presented well without being over-prepared. Nutrien conducted the sale.
Key Data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Rams offered and sold | 140 (full clearance) |
| Average price | $2198 |
| Average increase on last year | $634 |
| Top price | $8200 |
| Preceding Poll Merino sale value | $1.2 million |
| Major volume buyer purchases | 25 rams |
| Top ram dressing percentage percentile | Top 5% |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What was the clearance and average at the Leahcim White Suffolk sale?
All 140 rams offered sold for a full clearance. The average was $2198, up $634 on the previous year.
What was the top price?
The top price was $8200 for Lot 11, a June 2025-drop ram. It was bought to head into stud duties.
What are the top ram's key figures?
It sits in the top 5 per cent of the industry for dressing percentage, Terminal Carcase Plus and Lamb Eating Quality. It is also in the top 10 per cent for weaning weight, post-weaning weight and post-weaning eye muscle depth.
How did this sale relate to the stud's Merino sale?
The White Suffolk sale followed the family's $1.2 million Poll Merino sale three days earlier. Many buyers from the Merino sale returned to buy White Suffolk sires.
Who was the major volume buyer?
Sparks Farming, Canowie Belt, was the major volume buyer with 25 rams at a $1928 average. Other South Australian buyers took multiple rams at higher averages.
What averages did other multiple-ram buyers pay?
A Mintaro operation bought 10 rams at a $2760 average and a Clare operation took 10 sires at $1900. Stud buyers from Weetulta and Stockport paid $3200.
Who conducted the sale?
The sale was conducted by Nutrien. It was the stud's 39th annual on-property sale.
