Buyers from SE to western Qld swoop on huge ram offering at Bundara Downs
Bundara Downs' 29th annual White Suffolk, Poll Dorset and Suffolk sale at Western Flat had plenty of positives, including some big orders from as far afield as Charleville in Qld.
In one of the state's largest meat breed offerings, Steve, Ros, Greg and Selena Funke sold 273 of 347 rams for a credible $1265 average.
This was not far off the previous year when 326 of 392 rams averaged $1301 - although this year the Ultrawhites were sold in a separate sale on the eve of the main sale.
White Suffolks proved most popular in the massive 2025 catalogue, with 219 of the 237 lots topping at $3000 and averaging $1245.
Fourty-eight of 94 Poll Dorsets topped at $3200 and averaged $1383, while six of 15 Suffolks sold for a $1050 average.
There were no dizzying heights, but the top-priced White Suffolk and Poll Dorset rams are destined for stud duties.
Ken and Heather Walker, Kenlorne stud, Beachport, secured the $3200 sale topper in lot 246, BD 246312.
The May 2024-drop son of Bruan 220173 had terrific growth figures, including a post weaning weight of 20.0 and a Terminal Carcase Production index of 161.3. Both of these ranked in the top 5pc on 2024 drop sires on Lambplan.
"He stands up well, has good figures and will be some new genetics to put with our flock," Mr Walker said.
Mary Burzacott and Michael Emery, Richmond Park White Suffolks, Robe, bought lot 5 and lot 8, each at the $3000 stud reserve.
Lot 5, BD 245339, was sired by Felix 211151 which the stud bought for $31,500 in partnership with other studs, while lot 8 was by Bundara Downs 194158.
Also paying a $3000 high was Schubert Farms, Apsley, Vic, who bought lot 16 as one of their four rams.
Volume commercial buyers underpinned the sale's success with eight securing 10 rams or more and not having to break the bank to buy them.
McBride Operations led the volume buyer list, securing 45 rams for an $864 average.
RG&R Legoe, Lucindale, put together 25 White Suffolks for a $1172 average and Beven Livestock, Fowlers Gap, NSW, took home 20 rams at the $800 base price.
The Schwartz family, Muston Pastoral Co, Caramut, Vic, were busy on the top end of the White Suffolks buying 18 rams for a $1667 average. They paid to $2200 twice.
McCarthy Livestock, Lucindale, was the volume Poll Dorset buyer with 17 rams for a $1165 average.
The top-priced Suffolk buyer was D&J Rich, Serviceton, Vic, who paid $1500 for lot 342, BD 246859.
Each year, the Funke family donates the proceeds in lot 19 to the Royal Flying Doctor Service and has raised over $40,000 for the great cause.
This year RFDS SA/NT executive general manager, strategy, brand and reputation Charlie Paterson addressed the crowd at the opening of the sale.
He said the organisation was appreciative of the Funkes for their ongoing support over two decades.
"We rely on the community support to bridge the gap in our aircraft replacement program - it is a wonderful contribution from another great country family," he said.
"It is not just the tangible support of the proceeds of that ram every year but also the advocacy in the community, giving our local group the opportunity to talk about what we do."
Mr Paterson said donations - including the $2200 raised this year - were needed now more than ever with SA/NT operations taking delivery of six new aircraft in the next 18 months. The cost of each plane, including fitting them out medically, is $12 million.
"We have substantial reserves to cover that investment, but we still have work to do over the next year and a half, but with the ongoing support of the community, we will get there," he said.
Greg Funke said they were happy with the sale result given the challenging season and lower ewe numbers.
"We were concerned about clearance but we have cleared a lot of rams," he said.
He said AuctionsPlus continued to be a valuable tool, helping them sell rams into several states. There were 108 online bids with five buyers successful on 17 lots.
He said it had been tough season wise going through double the amount of hay and third times as much grain.
"We are at sale time and it (the season) is only just starting to change but hopefully we see a return to a normal season into next year," he said.
Elders auctioneer Laryn Gogel, who shared the rostrum with Ronnie Dix, said the Funke family continued to attract the same buyers year in and year out, which showed the rams were performing in the paddock.
"The overall average will be pretty fair when we look at the number of rams that have been sold," he said.
"The beauty of having so many rams here is that we can entice those who want 20 to 30 rams to come and buy with confidence knowing there is the depth of the catalogue, but there are also guys who can step in and buy a stud ram or five rams for their program too."
Elders Bordertown was the sole selling agent.
