Volume buyers drive maternal and terminal ram sale for Yarram Park
Volume buyers took advantage of quality, affordable rams at Yarram Park's spring on-property sale in western Victoria.
The Willaura-based stud sold a total of 144 of the 194 maternal and terminal rams on offer on Tuesday.
In the breakdown, 62 of 96 maternal composite rams sold for an average of $1278 with a top price of $3000 for Lot 7, while 82 of 98 terminal composite rams averaged $1208 and topped at $1800 three times.
The 14-month-old sale topper was bought by repeat clients M & D Schinckel, Kybybolite, SA, who run a commercial composite sheep flock for prime lamb production.
Yarram Park stud manager Craig Brewin said the ram was very suited to the buyer's operation.
"Lot 7 was visually just such a nice, clean, growthy ram," Mr Brewin said.
"People really like the longevity of our maternal rams, plus their growth."
The ram boasted a Maternal Carcase Production breeding figure of 173.
"They have been buying from us for about five years now," Mr Brewin said of the top-priced buyers.
Two of the top-priced terminal rams, Lot 101 and Lot 119, were both bought by Cameron Whyte, Branxholme, for his commercial flock.
The third top-priced terminal ram was bought by Sorell Springs Pastoral Co, York Plains, Tas.
Rams sold into four states, including Victoria, South Australia, NSW and Tasmania.
Mr Brewin said there was a bit more buying activity on the terminal rams.
"We had good repeat buyers and one or two new ones," he said.
"We probably just didn't have enough buyers on the maternals.
"With the way lamb prices are at the moment, if people have already got some self-replacing sheep, the terminals can provide them a quick turnover to sell.
"I think the sale was really good value for the people who purchased."
One such buyer taking advantage of the market was south-west Victorian producer Fil Toledo.
Mr Toledo operates Woodhouse Agricultural Company at Little River and purchased 16 terminal rams on Tuesday.
His rams averaged $1075 with a top price of $1400.
"We've been buying Yarram Park rams for a long time, around 15 years now," he said.
"I thought the sale was a good buyer's sale.
"The sales this year have been a bit tough, but the rams were presented really well."
Mr Toledo is joining around 6000 ewes, comprising of 90 per cent composite ewes.
"The terminals provide a quick turnover," he said.
Each year, his operation turns off around 5000-6500 lambs at around 50 kilograms, depending on lambing percentages, which are sold in weight-based loads from January through to June.
"We sell most of them direct to Midfields at Warrnambool," he said.
