Western stud stands out amid fierce bidding at Red Hill Australian Whites

Buyers sought length, growth and carcase traits at Red Hill Australian Whites' ram sale, near Wongarbon, on September 25.

All up, 76 of 79 rams sold to a top of $7500, twice, to average $2967. The remaining three rams were sold directly afterwards.

In the breakdown, six stud rams hit $7500, twice, to average $5416, while 70 flock rams sold to $5750 to average $2757.

Liza Barlow and Tony Slade, Highveld Australian White stud, Peoria, Condobolin, secured the two top-priced rams, Red Hill 240824 and Red Hill 240420.

Son of Red Hill 220202 and out of Red Hill 230919, Red Hill 240824 weighed 103 kilograms and scanned 43 millimetre eye muscle depth and 9mm fat.

Sired by Red Hill 230662 and out of Red Hill 221309, the second sale-topper, Red Hill 240420, weighed 93kg with 44mm EMD and 8mm fat.

Length, growth, fat depth and bloodlines topped Ms Barlow's priorities.

She also bought a flock ram, Red Hill 240400, by Red Hill 230662, for $3500.

The sale-toppers will be used through the Highveld stud which consists of about 675 ewes. Of those, the rams will go over 50 selected head for joining in about two or three weeks.

Most of the stud's clients run Dorper-cross programs in the Western Division, so Ms Barlow said doability and survivability were also essential traits.

The flock ram will join their commercial Australian White operation of 1200 ewes.

Bede Anderson, Eugowra, paid $5750 for the top-priced flock ram, Red Hill 240396.

By Red Hill 230721, the 37kg, 10-month-old ram had the highest EMD and fat in the catalogue at 47mm and 12.5mm, respectively.

Mr Anderson also purchased Red Hill 220202 son, Red Hill 240380, for $4250.

AP and SM Ferguson, Ringwood, paid $5250 for stud ram Red Hill 240568, by Red Hill 230623, and $3000 for Red Hill 230268 son, Red Hill 240120.

They also bought four flock rams to average $2875.

Volume buyer Sullivan Pastoral, Yoe Lake Station, Wilcannia, bought a draft of 15 flock rams to $3000 to average $2300.

Peter Sullivan said length, depth, muscle and higher birthweights were the key traits he looked for in his selections.

The family runs 4000 to 5000 Australian White ewes, aiming to finish lambs as heavy and as quickly as possible.

"The heavier and quicker they fit into the abattoir's grid, the better," Mr Sullivan said.

They have used Red Hill genetics for about four years, returning each season for the consistent lift in progeny quality.

To streamline management, the family runs a year-round joining program.

Amiee Toole said they were over the moon with the result.

"We're thrilled to have so many return and clients from Longreach to Western NSW and Mudgee,"she said.

Mathea Usher, Parkes, bought eight rams to $3500 to average $2875.

Nutrien Dubbo conducted the sale with Brad Wilson the auctioneer. AuctionsPlus provided the online interface.