Tasmanian volume buyer snaps up the top Border Leciester at Leonella sale
A first-time Tasmanian client has become one of the volume buyers at Leonella Border Leicester stud's ram sale at Inverleigh.
Based in south-west Victoria, Leonella stud principal Noel Lubcke said he was a bit concerned ahead of Friday's sale, but strong support from new and returning clients made the sale a success.
A total of 55 rams were sold from 62 on offer for an average price of $1320 a head.
The sale topped at $2100 twice for Lot 1, Leonella 240080, and Lot 41, Leonella 240132.
Both top-priced rams were purchased by new client Sorell Springs Pastoral, York Plains, Tas.
The Tasmanian-based operation is owned by the Nicholas family, who farm in the Tasmanian Midlands.
The first-time buyers ended up being one of the largest volume buyers of the sale, purchasing six rams in total for an average of $1966.
The rams were bought by Australian Wool Network state manager Kelvin Shelley.
Mr Lubcke said Sorell Springs had shown interest in his rams for a number of months before purchasing.
"I spoke to their wool classer earlier this year," Mr Lubcke said.
"He came over and went through our sheep a few weeks ago, and they were looking for shape and confirmation in the rams, not so much the figures."
Mr Lubcke's daughter, Emma Lubcke, said the interstate competition was a highlight of the sale
"We've never had Tassy clients before, so that was exciting," Emma said.
"It was nice to have some interstate interstate interest and get our name out there a bit more."
Agents estimated 90 per cent of the rams sold to local producers within a 50-kilometre radius, and competition was bolstered by buyers from Ballarat, Ararat, Nhill, and Tasmania.
Mr Lubcke said the number of returning clients was an indicator of the commercial success of the stud.
"It's good to have new clients, but I think there's real value in seeing your repeat clients come back," he said.
"That's what really shows you that you are doing the right thing.
"The season hasn't been good, and ewe numbers are down, so that's always a bit concerning coming into the sale."
