Stronger demand lifts Babirra Dohne ram sale clearance and average
Strong demand, particularly from pastoral buyers, helped lift results at the Babirra Dohne and Poll Merino ram sale at Stansbury.
The Farrow family sold 29 of 30 Dohne rams offered to a top of $3200, averaging $1335.
The result was a stronger clearance and average than last year's sale, when 25 of 30 Dohnes sold to an average of $1248.
The top-priced ram, offered as Lot 11, was purchased by long-time client Blackville Trading Trust, Caltowie, for $3200.
The ram was a triplet sired by Babirra sire 3082 and had a Dohne Index of 174.6, placing him in the top 10 per cent of the breed.
He also recorded a yearling weaning weight breeding value of 9.7, ranking him in the top 5pc of the breed.
His fleece measured 17.1 micron, with a 3.3 standard deviation, 19.1 coefficient of variation and 99.9pc comfort factor.
The ram recorded Australian Sheep Breeding Values of 0.9 for eye muscle depth and a 0.2 for fat, with an actual EMD of 44mm.
Blackville Trading Trust's Colin Black said the ram's combination of figures, growth and fleece quality made him stand out.
"He had good figures, good weight, early weight growth, and a clean fleece yield percentage," he said.
Mr Black said the ram would be used over the family's Merino-Dohne ewes, with some progeny likely to be retained as future sires.
He has been buying from Babirra for about 15 years and also purchased lot 20 for $2000.
MS&SM Jackson, Broken Hill, NSW, again provided strong support, purchasing 15 rams to average $1053.
Stud client Ulooloo Dohnes, Hallett, purchased two rams averaging $1350, while new client AE Clarke and Sons, Cradock, purchased four during the auction to average $1700, before buying a further two stock rams after the sale.
Babirra Dohne and Poll Merino stud principal Craig Farrow said the support from both established and new clients was pleasing.
Mr Farrow said the stud was continuing to look ahead, with new genetics set to come through for next year's offering.
Elders stud stock auctioneer Tony Wetherall said the Dohnes lined up strongly, with solid competition throughout the sale.
"The Dohne rams had good carcase qualities, and good wools, and really represented the Dohne breed well," he said.
Mr Wetherall said Lot 11 displayed the balance of traits buyers were seeking, including structure, carcase and fleece quality.
"It was well-balanced, had a good structure and very good carcase, like big eye muscle but his wool was white, bright and stylish," he said.
The sale was conducted by Elders in conjunction with Nutrien, with Mr Wetherall auctioneering.
Seven Poll Merino rams were also sold through a helmsman auction, topping at $1400 to Pangari's GD Cook, Minlaton.
