Strong Leachim White Suffolk sale a strong follow to huge Merino auction

Outstanding figures coupled with structural correctness led to another strong sale at the Michael family's Leahcim White Suffolk stud at Snowtown on Friday.

It followed the family's massive $1.2 million Poll Merino sale three days earlier.

Leahcim's 39^th annual on-property sale had full clearance of 140 White Suffolk rams, for an average of $2198, which was $634 up on last year's sale.

The top price was also slightly up at $8200 for Lot 11.

Buying the top price ram was Steve Funke, who had to do some multi-tasking as his Bundara Downs sale was happening at the same time at Bordertown.

"I saw the ram before the sale so I knew what I was buying," Mr Funke said.

"I liked it for its structural correctness, type and balance of figures."

Mr Funke has bought from Leahcim for the last three years and this year's ram will be going into stud duties.

The $8200 ram was a June 2025-drop with outstanding measurements including being in the top 5 per cent of the industry for dressing percentage (3.8), Terminal Carcase Plus (173), and Lamb Eating Quality (170).

It was also in the top 10pc of the industry for weaning weight (12.7), post-weaning weight (19.5), and post-weaning eye muscle depth (4.0).

Many of the buyers who snapped up rams at Leahcim's Poll Merino sale returned to purchase more sires from the White Suffolk offering including GJ&BL Turner, Woorandara, Booligal, NSW, buying 19 and averaging $1810, and the Lavender family, Redneval Farming, Williams, WA, with six averaging $2066.

The major volume buyer was Sparks Farming, Canowie Belt, buying 25 rams and averaging $1928.

Other SA buyers included Arapunya Investments, Mintaro, with 10 rams averaging $2760, and Anama Holdings, Clare, with 10 sires averaging $1900.

Stud interest came from Anna Villa, Weetulta, buying two rams and averaging $3200, and Strathfield, Stockport, with one at $3200.

Principal Alistair Michael said it was great to see such a wide spread of buyers in attendance.

"It shows the optimism and positivity in the industry," he said.

Mr Michael said he was very happy with the balance of the ram's data and the consistency offered right through the sale.

The sale was run by Nutrien with Gordon Wood auctioneering.

"It was another fantastic day at Leahcim, with full clearance of 140 White Suffolks and a huge spread of buyers again," he said.

"It's great to see people's faith in the breeding program.

"The performance data recording, structural soundness and meat content with these sheep is fantastic.

"The rams are not over-prepared, they're presented well but not pushed."