Stud and commercial buyers compete for high-figured New Armatree rams

A mix of commercial and stud clients competed strongly on a catalogue that included some of the highest-figured Border Leicesters in the country at the New Armatree ram sale at Armatree on Thursday, September 10.

The sale had 99 of 109 rams sold during the auction to a $7200 top price and $2141 average. A further seven rams sold shortly after the sale's conclusion.

The sale started off strong, with the top-price achieved in lot one, for twin-born ram, tag 25-0039, sired by New Armatree 23-0632, headed to stud duties after it was bought by Gleneith Border Leicesters, Ganmain.

Wes and Nathan Kember were on site to select their first New Armatree ram after having previously used genetics from the stud.

This ram was their sole purchase, but they were the underbidders on a number of rams, including the second last lot, which sold at $5200, in a sign of the consistency through the catalogue.

The top-priced ram had a range of figures in the top 1 per cent to 5pc, including an eye muscle depth of +2.54, fat of +3.1, weaning rate of +0.31, intramuscular fat of +0.45, shearforce of -0.58 and a dressing percentage of +3.1. He also had a post-weaning weight of +13.74, in the top 10pc.

The ram was also among the highest Border Leicester index (BLX) rams in the catalogue at +179.5 - in the top 1pc for the breed.

Wes Kember said they had come to secure a "high genetic-potential stud sire" and found it in lot one, after seeing three or four rams they "really liked".

"His strong points will work well in our stud," he said.

Nathan Kember said the ram had the balance of data and phenotype, with a particular focus on weaning rates and the high index.

"He matched up the figures to the ram," he said.

The Kembers will collect semen from the ram as insurance for the future.

Gleneith was not the only stud active at the sale, with representatives from South Australian stud Glencorrie, based at Maitland on Yorke Peninsula and Duncan on Kangaroo Island, making the trip to secure three rams in quick succession early in the catalogue.

This included the second-highest priced ram at $5600, twin New Armatree 25-0310, sired by New Armatree 22-0188.

The ram had several high-ranked figures including a post-weaning weight of +16.92 and a dressing percentage of +2.85, both in the top 5pc, as was the BLX of 171.

The stud's other lots included twin 25-0155 and twin 25-0100, both sired by New Armatree 21-0077, at $5000 and $5400 respectively.

Both rams ranked in the top 5pc for weaning rate at +0.33, with a 176.6 and 179.1 BLX.

Will Stanley, Killarney Border Leicesters, Galong, also picked up a new stud sire, selecting twin tag 25-0009, another New Armatree 22-0188 son, with a +16.61 post-weaning weight, +0.28 weaning rate, +2.99 dressing percentage and 171.5 BLX - all in the top 5pc - for $5200.

There was plenty of commercial interest as well.

Lochie McGuiness, Laurel's Pastoral, Cowra, took home 20 rams, securing 17 during the auction, to a top of $2000, averaging $1694.

They breed first-cross ewes, keeping a selection for their own use with the lead of the draft offered for sale each year.

"We focus on a balance of growth and maternal traits," he said.

Mr McGuiness said they kept returning to New Armatree for the chance to buy well-structured and well-figured rams with plenty of selection.

Liam Norrie, Forbes, picked up 11 rams to $3200, averaging $2345.

He breeds first-cross ewes for themselves, selling the excess, and sourcing their rams from New Armatree for the past eight years, as well as its partner stud Inverbrackie, at Finniss, SA, seeking the "modern Border Leicester".

He said they selected foremost on data, making sure it was backed up by "quality structure".

Also buying in bulk was David Greig, Bellevue Rural Enterprises, Tottenham, who took home seven rams to $4200, averaging $2886.

He was targeting a "more maternal animal" to join with about one-third of their Merino ewes to sell first-cross ewes.

There was also plenty of action via AuctionsPlus, including Jock Dowling-Brown, Coonamble, who selected 13 rams to $2000, averaging $1246.

New Armatree's Jack Bradley said they were proud of the rams, considering it one of the best teams they had offered.

The 109 rams had an average 165.7 BLX - in the top 5pc for the breed.

He said as well as concentrating on structure and phenotype, they were looking to combine growth characteristics with eating quality.

Jenny Bradley said they had been collecting eating quality data, including IMF, shearforce and dressing percentage, since 2014, but this year - due to client feedback - included that information in their catalogue.

"We want a balanced sheep," she said.

"We have many breeding values in the top 1pc, outstanding raw data, with a conformation, wool-type and structure - good all-round rams."

Ms Bradley said it was also pleasing to have three studs operating and showing their confidence in the New Armatree genetics.

The sale was conducted by Halcroft & Bennett and Tooraweenah Livestock & Property, with Steve Colwell the auctioneer and AuctionsPlus providing the online interface.