"There is lots to look forward to in the next five years," says selling agent
A combination of top-quality Mollerin Rock Dohne genetics and strong support from clients, ensured another strong, positive sale result for the Applegate family at its on-property sale at Cadoux on Monday.
The even, true-to-type line-up consisted of a 108-head team, supported by impressive Australian Sheep Breeding Values (ASBVs), which were a true testament to the Applegate family's commitment to the Dohne breed and its stud.
The dual-purpose traits of the stud's rams, which saw them boast impressive white wools and excellent carcase characteristics, ensured there was a ram to suit all buyers breeding objectives and orders.
The line-up attracted buyers from far and wide and when the action got underway, they were not afraid to bid up on their catalogue favourites.
Sale Summary
- (Under the hammer results)
- Offered: 108
- Sold: 99
- Top: $3100
- Gross: $143,100
- Average: $1445
As a result, 99 of the 108 rams sold under the hammer to a top of $3100 and an average of $1445, which was up $361 on last year's sale result.
Elders auctioneer and WA stud stock manager, Nathan King, said he was rapt for the Applegate family.
"In terms of clearance and price, both were up on last year's sale which is great to see, given the investment the Applegate family has made to the Dohne industry and buying the Far Valley Dohne stud," Mr King said.
"I was really pleased with how the wool was presented.
"There is lots to look forward to in the next five years at Mollerin Rock."
Taking out the sale's $3100 top price honours was a ram from lot 44.
Three generations of the Hagboom family, Colin, Gavin, and Ashton, WR Hagboom & Co, Dowerin, paid the sum for the ram, which weighed 86 kilograms.
It has ASBVs of 6.5 weaning weight (WWT), 10.6 post weaning weight (PWWT), 13.7 yearling weight (YWT), 1.3 eye muscle depth (EMD), 13.3 yearling clean fleece weight (YCFW), 0.1 yearling fibre diameter (YFD), -0.8 yearling coefficient of variation (YCV) and a Dohne index of 196.4, along with raw wool figures of 18.4 micron and 99.7 per cent comfort factor (CF).
The Hagboom family was one of two volume buyers, purchasing nine rams at an average of $1722.
Gavin Hagboom said he was pleased with the rams.
"We were looking closely at fleece weight, growth and eye muscle depth in the rams we purchased," Mr Hagboom said.
"On top of looking at the figures we were looking for well-rounded rams with good overall conformation."
The Hagboom family has been breeding Dohne rams since they were introduced to WA in 1998, and currently put Dohne rams over a breeding flock of 2350 ewes.
Coorow account, Hakea Farming, paid the second top price of $3000 for a ram from lot 20.
The ram weighed 82kg and had raw wool figures of 17.2 micron and 99.99pc CF.
It has ASBVs of 5.5 WWT, 8.4 PWWT, 9.0 YWT, 1.4 EMD, 20.0 YCFW, -0.4 YFD, -0.7 YCV and a Dohne index of 175.2.
Hakea Farming purchased another three rams from the catalogue to finish with a team of four at an average of $2350.
Returning sales supporters AN & E Tunstill, Kalannie, bought three rams from the line-up for an average of $2100.
Included in the Tunstill's team was the third top-priced ram which they purchased at $2900.
The 90kg ram was the second to be offered on the day and its has ASBVs of 5.3 WWT, 9.2 PWWT, 10.6 YWT, 1.7 EMD, 15.0 YCFW, 0.5 YFD, -1.7 YCV and a Dohne index of 195.8, as well as raw wool figures of 19 micron and 99.9pc CF.
The other volume buyer in the sale securing nine sires was W Emmott & Sons, Dowerin.
LR & MJ Smith, Carnamah, were also strong sale supporters, eager to secure genetics, purchasing eight rams to average $2200.
The Carnamah clients paid a high of $2800 for a ram that weighed 74kg with raw figures of 15.8 micron and 99.9pc CF.
MO & MY Sims, Beverley, purchased seven rams for an average of $1414 and to a top of $2000, twice.
Three generations, Maxwell, Graeme and Elliot Sims attended the sale.
Graeme Sims said he selected his rams based on fleece weight and bodyweight.
"We are trying to get moisture back into the stock and reduce contamination content," Mr Sims said.
"We are also looking for a finer micron, about 17.
"Length is also important, we want sires that are as long as possible."
Also buying seven rams were Grass Valley producers M & M O'Driscoll.
The O'Driscolls paid a high of $2100 on two occasions and averaged $1386.
Assisting with the sale clearance and average, were four accounts that each bought six head each.
NP Burges & Co, Meckering, paid a high of $2600, averaging $1983, while RW & CI Crombie, Corrigin paid an average of $1850, reaching $2600, MJ & TL Downsborough & Sons, Merredin, paid a high of $1200, twice, averaging $1067 and IJ & AR McRae, Geraldton, paid a high of $1400, averaging $1033.
