Well-balanced rams in demand at Normanhurst Border Leicester sale

Buyers were chasing well-balanced rams with shape at the Normanhurst Border Leicester ram sale held on-property at Boorowa on Thursday, October 2.

The top-priced ram was Normanhurst 038, which sold for $3250 to Robert Hain, Cooma.

The twin-born ram, by Normanhurst 38/21, recorded figures of +0.13 for birthweight (BWT), +11.96 for yearling weight (YWT), +0.30 for yearling fat and +110.44 on the Border Leicester Index (BLX).

He was one of three rams purchased for Mr Hain for an average of $2667.

Buying for Mr Hain, Daniel Tarlinton, Elders Crookwell, said they were after good square, shapey rams.

Mr Hain sells first-cross ewes in the Yass feature sale and is at the top end of the market.

The second top-priced ram was Normanhurst 231, which sold for $3000 to Pat and Sue Dwyer, Shamrock Border Leicester stud, Yass.

Sired by Wombotta 94/20, the ram had figures of +0.18 BWT, +11.86 YWT, +0.10 YFAT and +112.13 BLX.

Mr Dwyer said he admired the ram for his overall balance.

"He stands well, he's got a good fleece on him, he's a very thick sheep, very long, and he's a different bloodline to what I bought here last year," he said.

Mr Dwyer said the ram would go into their stud operation where they run 180 stud ewes with the aim to breed balanced sheep with heavy cutting fleece of good character on the finer end.

Tom Corkhill, Normanhurst, said the top run of rams were all very even with the top two standing out for their shape, carcase weight and good fleece.

Volume buyers included J and R Phillips, Jerangle, who purchased seven rams for an average of $1857, and E and P Dun, Wattamondara, took home five rams to average $1000.

Mr Corkhill said they were pleased with how the rams were presented, particularly after the tough season.

He said there was good support from repeat buyers, as well as some new clients.

"There was a lot of positive comments from the return buyers so that's great," he said.

"People were looking for a good muscly, shapey type of rams to produce those good, solid first-cross ewes, as well as fertility."

At the fall of the hammer, a total of 30 rams out of 68 sold to a top price of $3250 to average $1533.

The sale was conducted by Elders and Nutrien Ag Solutions, with Rick Power, Nutrien Stud Stock, and Aaron Seaman, Elders, sharing the rostrum.