Large White gilt takes top price at annual Forbes stud sale in Bedgerabong
Buyers travelled from across the country to attend the ninth annual Forbes Stud Pig Sale, held in Bedgerabong on September 25.
With four breeds offered from five vendors, 23 of 25 lots sold to a top price of $1900, to average $1150 across the board with a clearance of 90 per cent.
The top-priced boar, Riverdale Marshall R74, was offered by Paul and Emma Baxter, Riverdale, Forbes.
Sired by Pinedock Marshall N310 and out of Pinedock Jewel N613, the eight-month-old Large White boar was purchased by fifth-generation farmer Andrew Rawsthorne, Condobolin.
VC Reid Smith Livestock agent Murray Reid said buyers were looking for quality bloodlines at the sale and were not disappointed with the best of the best on show.
"The top-priced boar was actually the first pig sold on the day, and he was a nice, meaty white boar, very compact boar - he had a bit of size in him, so that helped," he said.
"The price we were seeing for boars ranged between $1500 down to $1000, and we actually ended up seeing a lot more interest in the females today than the males."
Mr Reid said the timing of the sale, which is normally held in May each year, may have had an impact on buyer demand for boars.
Paul and Emma Baxter also sold two boar exhibits, Riverdale Marshall R84 and Riverdale Marshall R97, for $1300 each. The Large Whites were sold to Jason Marks and JB and BJ Baxter, Condobolin, respectively.
Bidder Pat Dwan, Warwick, Qld, purchased Hampshire boar Stockinpiggle Turbo R305 for $1200 from vendors Jason and Samantha Bates, Stockinpiggle, Stockinbingal.
The top-priced gilt, Riverdale Sunbeam R105, was offered by Paul and Emma Baxter and sold to $1900.
The six-month-old was sired by Pinedock Marshall N310 and out of Pinedock Sunbeam N634, the Large White stud gilt was purchased by Wilmont Pork, Kaaleena Potter, Qld.
JB and BJ Baxter also purchased the second top-priced gilt, Riverdale Sunbeam R115, for $1700 and Riverdale Sunbeam R112 for $1500 from vendors Paul and Emma Baxter.
The Wayne Reid in Appreciation Award for best exhibit, judged by Craig Beaumont, was awarded to Exhibit 11 - Dewsburys Thunder R40, a Hampshire boar exhibited by Eli Bailey, Dewsbury Pork, Goulburn.
Dewsbury Pork is located in the Southern Tablelands and is proud to focus on preserving and promoting the Hampshire and Duroc breeds, both critically rare breeds in Australia.
Dewsburys Thunder R40 sold to $900 and was purchased by Victorian buyer, Gropig Pty Ltd, Neilborough.
Mr Reid said he looked forward to the sale returning in mid-May next year.
"I wouldn't be surprised if we have 50-60 head at the sale next year; there will be a few more white pigs to choose from, along with the usual run of coloured pigs."
VC Reid Smith Livestock conducted the sale.
