SheepMaster sends best to the west, as top rams head for Albany after auction
The stud started in Western Australia and the strong interest continued from the west, with the two top-priced rams set for a long trip totheir new home.
The SheepMaster Parent Stud's two top-priced rams, at $24,000 and $17,000, are each heading to owners near Albany, WA.
Overall, 84 of 96 rams sold for an average $3148, during the stud's third on-property sale at Woodstock, on November 5, while 20 stud ewes sold for $1000.
The $24,000 ram, tag 241420, nominated as a special stud sire, from the Majestic family with sire 220197.
The August 2024-drop ram weighed 119 kilograms with an eye muscle depth of 42 square centimetres and fat of 11 millimetres with a skin score of 5, shape score of 3 and temperament score of 5.
He also had Australian Sheep Breeding Values with a weaning weight of +9.81, post-weaning weight of +14.58, eye muscle depth, as well as a +142.07 terminal carcase production index and +136.6 maternal carcase production-plus index.
Buyer Jordan Swainston, Swainston & Co, Albany, WA, said he had viewed the ram online but was also reliant on local representatives picking out the best option.
"Where we farm, feet are the number one priority, and he had the best feet in the sale," he said.
"He also met all the other criteria of shedding ability and length and depth."
The Swainstons run about 3000 shedding ewes, including an elite flock of ewes, which would be joined with this ram to breed rams across the property.
"I'm happy spending that amount of money on rams when we're breeding our own," he said.
This was the second year he had bought SheepMasters, and said he was impressed with how well they were performing and holding up.
The $17,000 ram, tag 240611, also identified as a special stud sire, is heading just north of Albany, to Greenrange, for new owner Ryan Smith.
The 123kg ram came from the Jubilee family, from sire 220184, and had a 41EMD, 7.5mm fat, shape score of 3, and temperament and skin scores of 5.
He also had a +11.99WWT, +17.99PWWT, +148TCP and +142MCP+.
Mr Smith said he admired the "type" of ram, while coming from the Jubilee family, it was an outcross to their existing rams.
"He is very correct, good on feet and with length of body, which is a big thing for me," he said.
"If you're going to be breeding rams, you've got to pay a bit more for the long-term benefits."
Mr Smith has been running SheepMasters for about four years and breeds rams for his own use to join with their 5000 shedding ewes.
"Shedding and kins are the most important traits, as well as fertility and carcase traits," he said.
"Having a lamb every 18 months puts it ahead of other breeds."
All up, Mr Smith bought seven rams for an average $5428.
The sale's volume buyers were Craig and Dani Millynn, Eugowra.
They have been breeding SheepMasters for the past few years after buying ewes and rams from WA.
During the auction, they bought 19 rams to a $4000 top and $2026 average, and then selected another eight rams immediately after the sale at $1500 for a total 28.
Shaun Minge, Naracoorte, SA, bidding via StockLive, bought eight rams to $5500 for an average $3438.
Crowden Weeks, Inglewood, Vic, selected seven rams to $4000, averaging $3071.
Craig Basham, also via StockLive, bought five rams to $3000, averaging $2900.
The sale was conducted by Elders with Paul Dooley the auctioneer and StockLive providing the online interface.
