Joint sale strong for Gumview and Willochra studs at Melrose
Confidence was evident at the Gumview and Willochra Suffolk and White Suffolk joint sale, with new and returning clients bidding strongly across both catalogues.
A highlight of the day was four rams topping the sale at $1600, including two White Suffolks rams that went to ME Kitschke, Jamestown, at lots 3 and 7, one to TR&KM Arthur, Melrose, at lot 10, while Baynes Bros secured the top Suffolk ram at Lot 81.
Long-term client of 15 years Tim Arthur was happy with his purchase of a White Suffolk ram at the top price, stating that he believes in the genetics on offer, 'they're really high-quality genetics'.
He added that the rams will be joined to Merino ewes at his Melrose property to continue 'to grow good, fast-growing lambs'.
In the sale breakdown across both studs, 74 of 80 White Suffolk rams sold averaged $1018, while the 35 of 40 Suffolk rams sold averaged $860.
Gumview Stud principal David McCallum said the family was very pleased with the result.
"After last year, we wondered what was going to happen," he said.
"We were very nervous before the sale, but the people who came, bought.
"We had some new buyers from across a big area, and they all bought too."
Mr McCallum credited a seasonal turnaround with driving the strong result.
"The seasonal change has made such a difference. You wouldn't even recognise our country compared with 12 months ago," he said.
He highlighted just how far clients had travelled from to attend the sale, with rams heading as far away as Broken Hill and the west coast.
"A lot of farmers here have also destocked Merino ewes, so it was encouraging to draw buyers from outside (the immediate district)."
Willochra Stud principal Cameron McCallum also expressed satisfaction.
"We were happy with the sale. It was obviously better than last year, and there's probably just a few breeding ewe numbers lacking around the state in general," he said.
"A highlight was having some new buyers - it's always good to see."
The sale was auctioneered by Nutrien's Shannon Jaescke, in conjunction with Elders.
Mr Jaescke said the clearance reflected both the quality of the McCallum families' genetics and renewed seasonal confidence.
"It was a very good offering from both Gumview and Willochra," he said.
"The McCallums always present a great line-up of rams, with strong genetics behind their systems.
"The local area has had a tough couple of years, and a lot of ewes have left the system, so to clear the amount of rams they did was a fantastic result."
