Loyal bidders return to Curlew Valley and Belmont stud's Mt Pleasant sale

Loyal bidders returned to the joint Curlew Valley and Belmont studs' ram auction at Mount Pleasant on Wednesday.

In the breakdown, 54 of 84 Suffolk rams sold by both studs reached a top of $2000 and average of $1083.

Belmont sold 31 Suffolk rams out of 40 offered, to a top of $1600 twice and average of $987.

Curlew Valley sold 23 out of 44 Suffolk rams offered, to a top of $2000 and average of $1213.

Belmont also sold 11 Border Leicester rams out of 15 offered, selling to $1800 twice and averaging $1145.

Buying the two top price Suffolk rams from Belmont at $1600 was Janise Hebberman, Kapunda.

The first was a June 2024 drop that weighed 110 kilograms. It was sired by Allendale 200517 and out of Belmont 211119.

The second was also a June 2024 drop, weighing 106kg, that measured in the top 10 per cent for terminal breeds for shear force. It was sired by Warra-J 211234 and out of Belmont 188042.

Ms Hebberman said she had been buying from Belmont for many years.

"I like to be loyal because I get very good lambs out of their rams every year," he said.

Buying one of Belmont's top price Border Leicester rams at $1800 was long-time purchaser Craig Schultz, Sedan.

Mr Schultz said there was a lot to like about the sire.

"It's a good, solid ram, with good structure, good legs on it and good length," he said.

The ram was a twin-born, July 2024 drop that weighed 96kg. It was sired by Jackson 210116 and out of Belmont 222276.

The other top price Border Leicester ram sold to KM&VJ O'Neill, McAlinden, Western Australia, bidding through Elders Roseworthy. A July 2024 drop, it was also sired by Jackson 210116.

Buying the top price Curlew Valley ram at $2000 was MacLachlan Proprietors, Pewsey Vale.

The July 2024 drop ram was sired by Curlew Valley 3114 and out of Curlew Valley 0005.

It weighed 114kg and rated in the top 5pc for shear force and top 20pc for intramuscular fat.

MacLachlan Proprietors also bought a further two Curlew Valley rams, averaging $950.

Curlew Valley principal Rachel Teague said she had produced a lineup of fertile rams ready to produce some cracking lambs.

"I'm really proud of the quality of rams offered; it was consistent throughout," she said.

"One thing that's been key is breeding rams with positive fat numbers, that will perform in tough environments."

Mrs Teague said buyers would be able to reap the rewards of good priced rams.

"It's great to see the industry has turned a corner now and we're getting some exceptional prices for our lambs," she said.

Belmont principal Neil Kroehn said loyal supporters returned to bid this year.

"Realistically, we knew it was going to be tough, because our buyers had a tough year," he said.

The sale was conducted by Nutrien and Elders, with Andrew Wilson auctioneering on behalf of Nutrien.

"The lineup presented extremely well, both the phenotype and the data was right," he said.

"Repeat customers saw the consistency in both programs, and that showed in the top end."