A ram for every buyer as Wingamin White Suffolks hits five figure high

There was strong stud activity on the top end of the Wingamin White Suffolks catalogue and plenty of volume commercial interest to round out a successful ram sale near Karoonda today.

Even after a tough preparation for the 2024-drop rams, the sale was much improved on last year.

In the breakdown, 91 of 93 rams sold to a sale high of $12,000 and averaged a healthy $1382.

The clearance was much on improved on last year when 65 of 101 rams averaged $1442.

Speaking on behalf of the Shillabeer family - Clive, Deb and daughter Caitlin Hampel - Deb said they were very happy and about the best result they could have asked for.

She said the rams - mainly May and June 2024-drops - had only really had access to three months of green feed in their lives, coming up well on maintenance rations.

The sale really kicked into gear on lots 4, 5 and 6, which made $12,000, $6250 and $8000 respectively.

The lot 4 ram - a June 2024-drop son of Detpa Grove 220128 which was used by AI - was knocked down to Kenton Farr, Harry's Well White Suffolks, Loxton.

The twin-born ram had figures of 0.47 for birthweight, 11.8 for weaning weight, 17.8 for post weaning weight, -0.4 on fat, 2.5 for post weaning eye muscle depth, as well as a lamb eating quality index of 149.3 and terminal carcase production of 152.6.

Mr Farr, who breeds both White Suffolks and Australian Whites, said he was keen to get new bloodlines in, in Detpa Grove and Farrer.

He said the lot 4 purchase had a real "sire look" and good figures that attracted plenty of attention.

The Harry's Well sale is set for September 30, where 120 White Suffolks and 50 Australian White rams will be offered.

Lot 6, a triplet-born May 2024-drop was secured by Elk River, Strathdale, Vic, for $8000, while lot 5 was knocked down for $6250 to Craig Hicks, Strathalbyn.

The sale soon settled into a steady rhythm of commercial buying from a strong crowd.

Leading the way in the volume stakes was Spinifex Pastoral Co with 18 rams, averaging $805.

Buying eight rams at an average of $1562 was NR Gardner, while DI&KM Winter, Bordertown, bought six at an average of $1133.

All buying five rams apiece were NM&JN White, Cooke Plains, averaging $860; Yarrawin Downs, Brimbago, averaging $1400; Sharlu Park, Truro, averaging $980; and SL&MN Rudd, Meringur, averaging $860.

Elders conducted the sale and auctioneer Laryn Gogel described the result as outstanding. He said there plenty of upside given current lamb prices.

"It was good to see stud buyers here again and we appreciate the stud interest, with three or four rams going that way," he said.

"On the flock ram side of it, to have that clearance and that average was outstanding in a geographical area where we're seeing less ewes, not more."