Cashmore Oaklea's top seller has statistics going back 12 generations

A ram with a recorded maternal history spanning 12 generations was the sale-topper at the annual Cashmore Oaklea Performance Maternals online auction.

The Cashmore and Mt Gambier, SA, based studs sold nearly 500 Composite maternal rams, entirely on AuctionsPlus, grossing $920,000.

The top-priced ram from the sale, Lot 55, was knocked down to Tim Lubke, Strathview Genetics, Henty, NSW, for $15,200.

The sale of 472 of the 492 rams offered averaged $1950.

Cashmore Oaklea stud co-principal Don Pegler said the property had suffered one of the worst three months he had ever experienced during autumn.

Mr Pegler said the rams "suffered a fair bit" until late June, when there was a reasonable, but late break.

He said recent rain meant it was now "as good as I have ever seen it".

"The rams didn't look too flash in May and June, but they certainly recovered once they got a bit of feed in front of them," he said.

He said he hoped the ram's breeding background would mean Mr Lubke would do well with the animal.

"He ticked all the boxes as far as his breeding values and his appearance," he said.

"His breeding should carry him forward."

The September 2024-drop ram was sired by Oaklea 231016 and out of Oaklea 231732.

Oaklea 241407 had a birth weight of 0.4 kilograms, a weaning weight of 11.1kg, a post-weaning weight of 18.3kg and yearling weight of 18.8kg.

The ram had a carcase weight of 7.88kg, for a dressing percentage of 3.6 per cent and lean meat yield of 5.8pc.

His intramuscular fat measured -0.6 millimetres and the post-weaning eye muscle depth was 2.9mm.

The second top-priced ram was Lot 1, which sold for $8200 to Yarram Park, Dunkeld.

Mr Pegler said both rams were twins, out of ewe lambs.

"Both were well shaped, with tight skins, open faced, with a bare breech and with dark feet and nose," he said.

"Both are trait leaders and in the top 5pc for fertility, growth traits and index and are also very good for muscle and worm resistance."

He said the operation could trace Lot 55 back 12 generations on the maternal side.

"In that time, there have been six singles born, 31 sets of twins and seven sets of triplets," he said.

Lot 1 could be traced back for 14 generations, with seven singles, 48 sets of twins and eight sets of triplets.

Rams were sold to buyers in southern NSW, southern South Australia and throughout Victoria and Tasmania.