Charollais stud principal celebrates higher average, laments low clearance

Camlea Charollais stud principal Kevin Feakins was celebrating after his ram sale on Monday, despite a lower-than-hoped-for clearance rate.

Of the 70 rams offered at the Cudgee stud, 40 sold to buyers from five states.

Mr Feakins said he knew farmers were doing it tough after the prolonged drought of the past two years.

He said rams were headed interstate to South Australia, NSW, Tasmania and Western Australia - for the first time.

"I think it went extremely well, under the conditions," Mr Feakins said.

"Farmers have suffered down here with the long drought, and a lot have sold a lot of stock."

Mr Feakins said the top-priced ram - Lot 52 - was bought by Vortex stud principal Daniel Hooper, Goorambat.

Mr Hooper, a return buyer, paid $3400 for Camlea 4112.

Mr Feakins said he thought Lot 52 was the stand-out ram.

The ram had an eye muscle depth (EMD) of 51 millimetres, eye muscle width (EMW) of 108mm, eye muscle area (EMA) of 42.41 square centimetres and 6.5mm fat.

"It was probably the best ram in the sale," Mr Feakins said.

"It had the best muscle score."

Mr Feakins said while the clearance rate was low, the average - $1010 - was slightly higher than last year.

He said while the grass was again growing on his property, the past two years had been the hardest the stud - which was established in 2007 - had experienced.

"We're as well-off now as we've ever been, but I think a lot of clients who are inland are still suffering," he said.

"We think the sheep are probably the best run of rams we have produced since the stud started.

"We're slowly improving the muscle and the type."

Billy Barber from WA bought two rams for his Charollais stud, Barber Charollais, near Gin Gin, while Gazette Hill purchased four.

The second-highest price was $1800 for Lot 53 - Camlea 4152.

It had an EMD of 43 millimetres, EMW of 98mm, EMA of 32.44sqcm and 6mm fat.

LMB Livestock agent Bernie Grant said the rams were very well presented.

"The clearance rate was a bit disappointing, but the people who were there got good-quality rams at a very reasonable price," Mr Grant said.

"I think it's a reflection of the season, and people have probably had to tighten their belts a bit because of all the money they've had to spend on feed."

Mr Grant said the stud's sheep were sought after because they were a high-yielding breed.

"They're a good carcase breed," he said.

"They're easy lambing, so people don't have any trouble with them."