New and repeat buyers chase carcase shape at Tattykeel's southern sale

Buyers seeking to capitalise on the lamb market were chasing rams with depth of body and carcase shape at Tattykeel's southern NSW Australian White sale.

Held at Tarcutta on Wednesday, a total of 85 stud and flock rams, and ewes were sold to average $3738 to buyers from NSW, Victoria and South Australia.

In the breakdown, five of eight stud rams on offer sold to a top of $15,000 to average $11,600, 68 of 92 flock rams sold to a top of $6000 and for an average of $3424, while 12 of 26 ewes made to $3750 to average $2250.

The top-priced ram was Tattykeel Quarterback 240739, which sold for $15,000 to RJ and SR Haldane, Toolong, Vic, via AuctionsPlus.

James Gilmore, Tattykeel, said the 116 kilogram ram had a very expressive hindquarter and beautiful coat along with magnificent feet.

"He's very true to breed type and inside the breed specs for weight for age and maturity," he said.

Two rams sold for the second top-price of $12,000 including Tattykeel 240403, which was purchased by Quartz Australian White Stud, Forbes.

Buyer Jack Gordon, Quartz, said he admired the twin-born ET ram for his width across the loin and depth of body into the hindquarter.

"He has a nice clean-haired coat," he said.

"We've selected him to match up into our sire team - we've got a pure Tattykeel team so we're just looking for this particular type of ram to match."

Mr Gordon said they run about 500 stud ewes, offering about 80 rams in a spring sale each year, with pure Tattykeel bloodlines.

"We're looking to produce balanced rams for our clients," he said.

"We want a balanced self-replacing flock aiming to turn off lambs six to seven months at 60kg."

The top-priced ewe was Tattykeel 240990 which sold for $3750 to Kerry Davis, Boho, Vic.

Volume buyers included J and J McCann, Grenfell, who purchased 20 rams for an average of $3938.

Phillip Henwood, Panorama Park, Coleambally, took home six rams to average $3250.

James Gilmore said they were very pleased with the sale, particularly given dry season conditions in many areas.

Mr Gilmore said they had a few new buyers as well as strong support from long-term return buyers who had been sticking with their program driven by the on farm results they had been recording.

"Rams with depth and carcase shape were what was selling," he said.

The sale was conducted by QPL Rural Temora and Miles Pfitzner took bids as guest auctioneer. AuctionsPlus provided the online interface.