Top and clearance up at Ardene's Australian Whites auction at Mt Torrens

The sale metrics were up at the Hodgson family's 12^th annual Ardene Australian Whites stud and flock sale at Mount Torrens on Thursday last week.

There were eight stud rams offered and sold to a top of $8500 and average of $5275. Last year seven of 10 stud rams sold to a $6500 top and $4642 average.

On the flock ram offering, 48 sold out of 78 offered, to a top of $4200 and average of $1722. In 2024, 12 of 36 flock rams sold to $2200, to average $1100.

Overall, there were 56 rams sold out of 86 offered, for an average of $2127.

There were also five stud ewes sold out of 20 offered, to a top of $1600 twice, and average of $1280.

Buying the top price ram at $8500, along with the joint top price ewe at $1600, along with a further two ewes for an average of $1200, was Brad Jamieson, of the Cape D'Estaing Australian White stud near Emu Bay on Kangaroo Island.

Mr Jamieson has been buying from Ardene since their first sale in South Australia in 2019.

He returned this year looking for another registered ram for his stud.

"I think they're just good-looking sheep," he said.

"Being easy care is also important, because I don't want to shear or crutch."

The May 2024-drop, twin-born ram weighed 118 kilograms and it was sired by Ardene 230025, which was the 2024 Australian Sheep and Wool Show champion and Royal Adelaide Show reserve champion.

The second-highest-priced ram at $6000 went to a Western Australian buyer purchasing through AuctionsPlus, Jason Teakle, Elgrace, who was a new bidder at Ardene.

Another twin and May 2024-drop, the ram was this year's grand champion at the Royal Adelaide Show and weighed in at 119kg.

Another new buyer, Toose Ag, Ballarat, Victoria, bought three stud rams to a top of $5500 and average of $4633.

Also buying for the first time was Jim Alexander, Kaniva, Victoria, with three flock rams to $2800, averaging $1600.

A new South Australian buyer was Yellowie Prop, Booborowie, with four flock rams to $2000, averaging $1350.

Volume buyers included Bruce Teagles Nominees Pty Ltd, Kalangadoo, with seven flock rams to $2400, averaging $1514, and MH Burzacott & MD Emery, Robe, with six flock rams to $2400 three times, averaging $2133.

Ardene's Bruce Hodgson said the sale produced a really good result.

"I think it's probably the best line-up of rams we've had," he said.

"It's a tribute to our breeding program and buying the right genetics to do the right job for the stud.

"I was really pleased with the mix of new and return clients. It's very positive, especially considering what the last 12 months have been like."

The sale was conducted jointly by Elders and Nutrien, with Ben Finch and Richard Miller auctioneering respectively.

Mr Finch said new and return buyers showed a lot of confidence in Ardene's breeding program.

"It's certainly very encouraging to see the mix of repeat and new buyers," he said.

"People are finding the value of working with this style of sheep in multiple different operations and environments.

"I think Bruce and Jannie are certainly being rewarded for staying the course."

Mr Miller said the sale produced a great result.

"It's well up on the clearance and it was underpinned by a few new volume orders," he said.

"There was strong competition on the stud rams but people were also able to get rams in all budgets."