Manofield moves in successful direction with stronger ram sale competition

Manofield Australian Whites achieved a substantial improvement during their Australian White online ram sale last week.

The Black Springs-based stud sold 40 of 52 rams offered to a top of $3050, averaging $1640 - a $670 increase on the 2025 sale when 22 of 37 rams sold to $1265, averaging $970.

Stud principal Ben Heinrich said the result was encouraging, with strong buyer interest both from those who inspected the rams on-farm and those who participated online.

"It was really positive, and we went to the effort of presenting them individually in the shed under over," he said.

"Our clients appreciate the way we present our rams, which is unshorn and feet untouched and straight out of the paddock."

The $3050 top price was paid by new client Sonya Mieglich, Port Pirie, for lot 30 - an 84-kilogram twin May 2025-drop ram sired by 230161.

Ms Mieglich, who is transitioning a small commercial flock from Dorpers to Australian Whites, said the ram offered the combination she was seeking.

"He seemed to have superior carcase quality, and his lambs wouldn't be born too big to put over maiden ewes, so it's the perfect match for us," she said.

The ram recorded Australian Sheep Breeding Values of 0.79 fat, 2.39 eye muscle depth and 1.91 dressing measure, all ranking in the top 5pc.

Its Total Carcase Production and MCP index were both 133.16, ranking in the top 10pc.

Ms Mieglich said her daughter Adelle helped select the ram after the pair narrowed their choice to lots 11 and 30.

"We just thought 30 looked good," she said.

"They seem very hardy sheep suited to Australian conditions, and their carcase quality is reported to be extremely good."

Volume buyers included in FG McCabe & Son, who purchased five rams averaging $1850; Shane Willmott, Manoora, who bought six to average $1475, and Neil Koch, Murray Bridge, who purchased five averaging $1390.

Nutrien livestock agent Glen Keast, Riverton, said the rams were presented in better condition than last year, with increased frame, size and weight translating into stronger competition.

"They sold at stronger competition too, so it was very successful," he said.

Mr Keast said the top price ram also demonstrated growing buyer interest in objective breeding values.

"People want to know not just size and looks, they want to know what they can actually achieve from breeding values," he said.