Confidence high, stud record set at Talbragar Border Leicesters, White Suffolks

The positive sentiment surrounding the lamb job was clear at Talbragar Border Leicesters annual on-property sale at Leadville on September 9, with a new top price recorded and several volume buyers operating.

The stud sold 74 of 80 Border Leicesters to an $11,500 top, marking a new stud record, to average $1400.

Talbragar also offered a draft of White Suffolk rams for the first time after purchasing the Kanoona Park White Suffolks stud from Craig Henry.

All 27 White Suffolks sold to a $3500 top to average $1569.

Two repeat purchasers went head to head for the top-priced ram, but it was Brendan and Kerry Cole, Farnham Border Leicesters, Sofala, that emerged victorious ahead of last year's top buyer, Bradley Worrell, Kenebri.

By Talbragar Storm 210055 and born a triplet, Talbragar 100 weighed 114 kilograms with 32.19 square centimetres eye muscle area and seven millimetres fat.

The ram had also been part of the winning woolly pair at the State Sheep Show at Dubbo earlier in the year.

Mr Cole said although the price was higher than he expected, they were determined to take the ram home.

"He was a long-bodied ram, probably a bit longer than the average ram in the shed, and just had that bit of extra quality," he said.

"It always cost quite a lot of money to get that.

"We only came to buy one ram, and that was him."

The Coles had previously bought from the stud and said the ram had performed well. They run both superfine Merinos and Border Leicesters.

Mr Worrell paid $3000 for the 112kg Talbragar 2.

The single-born ram was by Talbragar 110027 and scanned 8mm fat and 31.17sq cm EMA.

Mr Worrell also bought Talbragar 121, 114kg, another Talbragar Storm son, for $3000. The ram had 8mm fat and 32.19sq cm EMA.

A major volume buyer was Nyngan-based CMS Rural Properties. The operation selected a draft of 15 rams, paying to a $2000 top to average $1263.

Nutrien Wilson Russ livestock agent Harry Thuaux, Warren, was bidding on behalf of the operation and said he was after quality rams to breed first-cross ewes, which were sold annually online.

He said the area was experiencing a good season.

Another volume buyer was the Ridley family, Forbes, who bought 10 rams at $800 each.

Frank Roberts, Nutrien, was buying on behalf and was seeking rams with good eye muscle, along with depth and length.

Paul Baker Group, Wellington, selected a draft of nine Border Leicesters to average $1144, and two White Suffolks at $1400 and $1000.

Carinda's Nick Goth bought nine Border Leicesters averaging $1044 and three White Suffolks, averaging $1200.

The top-priced White Suffolk, Talbragar 526, sold to Old Castle, Leadville, for $3500.

The twin-born ram scanned 6mm fat and 34.36sq cm EMA.

Old Castle manager Kim Rawlinson said he favoured the ram's length and type. He had used Kanoona Park bloodlines for about 20 years and sold lambs through Dunedoo saleyards.

Mr Rawlinson secured a second White Suffolk, Talbragar 524, for $3250.

Ben Simmons, Talbragar, said it was a fantastic result that exceeded the family's expectations.

He knew the top-priced ram was a standout, being phenotypically correct with a sirey head and good carcase.

Even so, he was expecting him to sell for about $5000.

"You can't keep all the good ones - I've kept all his brothers," he said.

The White Suffolk draft had also sold well and the family planned to increase numbers next year.

"We didn't know what to expect but it's a new venture and we're really happy with how they've gone," he said.

He noted there was plenty of confidence in the industry and their clients were being rewarded for their product.

"It's going to be a couple of years to be in sheep," he said.

"It just goes to show you don't have to have these big, modern Border Leicesters with all the ASBVs, you've got to keep turning up with sheep that stand up, fill the pen, and look out at you."

Nutrien conducted the sale with Brad Wilson the auctioneer.