Calga Dohne beats the competition for local market, sets new record price
Top prices eclipsed recent years as commercial breeders swooped in on the Calga Dohne 21st on-property ram sale on Wednesday, September 10.
The top five rams were sold for more than $4400 each at auction, and to a single buyer.
The Coonamble stud recorded a total clearance and a gross $185,750 for 70 rams, averaging $2653.
Highest priced ram Calga CA240331 reached a new record high of $8000, sold to Jason Clarke for Macada Rural, Baradine.
An April 2024-drop from Calga CA190729 and from Calga CA210586, Calga CA240331 was ranked in the top 5pc for post-weaning weight and post-weaning eye muscle depth, with estimated breeding values of +11.58 and +1.74.
The commercial operation purchased a total of 10 rams to average $4375, including the second-highest priced Calga CA240392, sold for $5250.
By Calga CA200680 and from Calga CA220163, the April 2024-drop ram was in the top 5pc for number of lambs weaned at 14pc ASBV, and recorded a yearling clean fleece weight in the top 5pc at +22.71.
Stud co-principal Sandy Pye said it was encouraging to see commercial buyers place their faith in the rams to deliver returns on farm and in the market.
"Commercial breeders have got belief in our genetics ... it's promising to see that compared to a stud sale," he said.
"He's an industry leader on all the traits you get paid for, finishing your lambs, post-weaning weight, fleece weight, good muscle, and number of lambs weaned as well; that's why a commercial buyer would see so much value in him."
Strong local support buoyed the sale, Mr Pye said, with just under half of the lots sold to local buyers, with a new selection piquing the interest of buyers across the border.
"It's promising, because rams in our area are fairly popular," he said.
"We had on display our first generation of Calga Poll Dohne, which is a first-cross hybrid we've been working on; they've been sold privately up to Qld."
Malcolm Webb, Miagunyah, Warrambungle, purchased 15 rams to average $2583.
The rams will be joined to 4500 Dohne ewes at Miagunyah, supporting a mixed wool and meat operation, where heavier post-weaning weights and above-average wool cuts can make a notable difference in the operation, Mr Webb said.
"We've bought at every sale for 21 sales. I'm quite happy with the product, getting a heavier carcase and a bit more fertility," he said.
"If you're prepared to sacrifice a little bit of wool cut to get more carcase weight, that's what we're after, [because] we have ceased mulesing."
Jean and John Reardon, Tarago, secured Calga DJ240382 and Calga UC240296, for $1750 and $2000, respectively.
Greg Smith, Argilla Pastoral, Coonamble, purchased seven rams to average $1571, while Alfoxton Dohne Stud, Uralla, secured Calga UC240273 for $3250.
By Calga UC220025 and from Calga UC200262, the April 2024-drop Calga UC240273 was a triplet, with a PWT in the top 5pc of the breed at +10.72, with a Dohne plus index of +186.49.
The sale was facilitated by Nutrien Coonamble and Elders Coonamble, with auctioneer Paul Jameson, Elders Stud Stock, with Clancy Moore and Matt Prentice.
