SA's top terminal ram sale results for 2024 highlighted
There have been a number of ups and downs in this year's ram selling season, where the biggest story has been seasonal conditions across SA.
While the lamb market not only settled but grew, a number of producers had reduced numbers and increased feed bills, impacting on the number of rams needed.
For the most part, clearances and averages took a slight hit, but there were also several positive results.
Among the standouts were Dorpers and White Dorpers, which experienced a surge.
We've compiled the top 10 terminal ram sales for 2024, based on averages.
This year's list has some familiar faces from 2023, as well as some new names.
To be considered, the sale needed to offer more than 50 rams with a clearance above 80 per cent.
10 - Paxton Poll Dorsets and White Suffolks, Western Flat - $1274 average
This South East sale bucked the trend of 2024 with the average of both the Poll Dorsets and White Suffolks on 2023.
All up, 194 rams were offered with 177 sold to a top of $2000 and average of $1274.
9 - Bundara Downs White Suffolks, Poll Dorsets, Suffolks and UltraWhites, Western Flat - $1301 av
There was a massive catalogue of 392 rams on offer at Bundara Downs, with White Suffolks, Suffolks, Poll Dorsets and - on debut - UltraWhites.
All up, 326 rams sold to a top price of $3800 - for an UltraWhite - and a $1301 average.
8 - Seriston Suffolks and White Suffolks, Avenue Range - $1343
There was plenty of demand for White Suffolk offering at the Seriston on-property sale, with the top price ram - at $2800 - heading to Guyra, NSW.
All up, across the Suffolk and White Suffolk breed, 137 of 140 rams sold for an average $1343.
Seriston also combined with NSW stud Baringa for a joint offering of 48 Australian White rams.
7 - Mullinger Park Poll Dorsets, Suffolks and White Suffolks, Kybybolite - $1345
Mullinger Park offered 338 rams across three breeds, reaching a top price of $2500 for a White Suffolk ram and an average $1345.
This was a lift in average from the 2023 result.
6 - Saltbush White Dorpers, Port Augusta - $1381 av
Saltbush White Dorpers had a strong result for its second open auction, doubling the number of registered buyers from their inaugural event.
All up, 107 of 120 rams sold to $2800 and an average $1381.
5 - Ella Matta White Suffolks and Maternal Composites, Parndana - $1487 av
The highest price of the 2024 terminal breeds selling season in SA went to Ella Matta for a $19,000 White Suffolk ram.
All up, there was full clearance of 197 White Suffolks and maternal composites for an average $1487.
The stud also offered Poll Merinos.
4 - Wrattenbullie Poll Dorsets, Naracoorte - $1600 av
Wrattenbullie was another stud that managed to lift its average on 2023.
All up, there was full clearance of 131 rams to a top of $10,000 and a $1600 average.
3 - Allendale/Days Whiteface, Bordertown - $1619 av
The combined Days Whiteface and Allendale on-property sale offered 419 rams across White Suffolks, Poll Dorsets, Suffolks and a first-time offering of the Days Whiteface new breed White Baldies.
All up they sold 346 to a top of $10,000, twice, and an average $1619.
2 - Red Rock Dorpers and White Dorpers, $1785 av
Another stud to lift its average on 2023, Red Rock stud offered 120 Dorper and White Dorper rams, selling 109 to a $3600 top for each breed and $1785 overall average.
Buyers came from locally and across SA, into the western districts of NSW.
1 - Melashdan Dorpers and White Dorpers, Tumby Bay - $3118 av
For the second year, Melashdan topped the SA terminal sales list, with full clearance of 102 Dorpers and White Dorpers to a $6300 top and $3118 average.
The top price ram went to a first-time Melashdan buyer.
Special mention goes to Orrie Cowie Sheepmasters for its second sale, where 47 of 48 rams sold to a $7500 top and a $2110 average.
