Studs active at the top at Gleneith sale as top ram set for interstate duties

Studs jumped in on the bidding for the top rams at the Kember family's Gleneith Border Leicester ram sale, held on-property at Gleneith, near Ganmain, Friday, October 10.

Rams sold as far as Nyngan and down into Victoria and South Australia, with a total of 90 out of 100 rams sold to a top price of $7000 for an average of $1715.

Glenieth 39 stole the show, selling to the top price to Hewitt Border Leicester stud, Warracknabeal, near Horsham, Victoria.

The twin-born ram, sired by Gleneith 273-19 ranked in the top 20 per cent of the breed for his Australian Sheep Breeding Values (ASBV) with a maternal weaning weight (MWWT) of +2, while being in the top ranking in the top 5pc for his weaning weight value (WWT) and post-weaning-weight (PWT) value of +9.8 and +14.2, respectively, as well as his Border Leicester index of 159.66.

He also ranked in the top 10pc for his weaning rate figure (WR) of +0.21.

The second top-priced ram, Gleneith-245, was closely followed, being purchased by C and J Pastoral, Armatree, for $5000.

Also a twin born ram, he ranked in the 5pc for his MWWT, WWT, PWT and his BLX with figures of +2.5, +9.8, +14 and 164.83, respectively.

Sired by Gleneith 127-21, the young ram also ranked in the top 20pc for his post-weaning eye muscle depth (PEMD) of +1.5, and his WR value of +0.19.

There were several volume buyers throughout the draft, including Griffiths Pastoral Enterprises, Green Camp, Nyngan, who purchased 26 rams for a top of $1800 to average $1126, while EJ Merriman and Sons, Yass, took home 12 rams for a top of $3000 to average $1833.

Gleneith stud co-principal Wes Kember said this year brought good opportunities for the Border Leicester/Merino ewe market in the future, with the family receiving the top price pen at the Narrandera first cross ewe sale, reaching $515.

His son Nathan said the family was happy with the way the rams presented after a tough season earlier in the year.

"It was a strong result," he said.

"There seemed to be good stud interest in the front half of the sale and then some repeat volume buyer through the sale that made the sale strong most of the way through.

The auction was conducted by Elder Narrandera with Harry Cozens as the auctioneer. AuctionsPlus provided the online interface.