Interstate buyers drive up averages at Red Hill Australian White ram sale

Broad multistate competition and strong commercial volume buying drove results at the Red Hill Australian White ram sale at Wongarbon on Thursday, September 24.

The sale began with five stud rams, which sold to a top of $13,000, averaging $7900, while the full offering of 82 flock rams topped at $8000, averaging $3598.

The top-price ram was tag 250883, a one-year-old, 100-kilogram twin.

Sired by Red Hill 230662, from dam Red Hill 230610, the ram had a 34kg weaning weight, a 66kg 200-day weight, a 49 millimetre eye muscle depth and an 8.5mm fat depth.

He was bought by returning buyer Nick Bomford, Hollowforth, Upper Horton, who is in his second year breeding Australian Whites.

Last year, he bought a ram and 37 ewes from Red Hill, and this year bought 40 ewes before selecting another ram.

His goal is to start his flock with quality genetics, selecting the best rams he can.

"I like the Australian Whites, they're like running miniature cattle," he said.

"There's a market, as our farming generation gets older, for people wanting to run sheep without shearing."

Mr Bomford said he could see a market in supplying Australian White ewes for producers in his local area.

Another stud sire sold for $11,000 to Banksia Australian White stud, Inverleigh, Vic.

The 105kg, one-year-old twin was also by Red Hill 230662, from dam Red Hill 240234, with a 24kg weaning weight, 63kg 200-day weight, 48mm EMD and 7.5mm fat depth.

Banksia's Deb and Steve Settineri have been buying from Red Hill for nearly nine years, running Australian Whites.

Ms Settineri said they came this year, looking for a single stud sire and this ram "really took our eye".

"He's a good all-round ram, with excellent structure," she said.

"His growth, in fact all his figures, were something we were really interested in having in our stud.

"He will go on to breed very well."

Ms Settineri said the ram also had a "beautiful temperament", which would suit their plans to show his progeny.

He will be joined with their 50 stud ewes.

Other stud interest came from Highveld International, Condobolin, which selected tag 251052, a 13-month-old twin by Red Hill 230721 and Red Hill 230677, for $7000.

The 95kg ram had a 34kg weaning weight, 63kg 200-day weight, 46.5mm EMD and 8.5mm fat depth.

Highveld also bought a second ram at $3500.

Woburn Australian Whites, Bungarby, selected 250836, by Bungarley 230226 and Red Hill 221306, weighing 103kg at 13 months with 47mm EMD and 7mm fat, for $3500.

Rams are heading to Victoria, Queensland and South Australia, as well as across NSW, with plenty of buying interest.

The sale's volume buyer was first-time bidder Kaloola Grazing Co, Longreach, Qld.

Kaloola Station's Claire, David and Annabelle Paterson and Will Johnston made the trip down after an early "scouting" trip by Annabelle and Will a few months ago left them impressed with the offering.

They have been breeding Australian Whites for the past 10 years, with 10,500 breeding ewes across their four properties at Longreach.

Annabelle said in selecting their 15 rams, they were looking for good legs, to cover the distances they will need to travel, as well as high weaning weights and good shedding, with their full selection being twins.

Claire said their goal was to lift the standard of their whole flock, and turn them off faster.

"We want to focus on getting more numbers with less ewes," she said.

With their lambs, they target the feedlot market and want that fast growth.

"We're very impressed with how even the line-up here was."

Also buying in bulk was Calindary Station, via Broken Hill, which bought 14 rams to $4500, averaging $3771.

Sullivan Pastoral Enterprises, Yoe Lake Station, Wilcannia, picked up 12 rams to $3550, averaging $3161.

Buying via AuctionsPlus, South Australian buyers Helen McDonald, Keith, picked up five rams to $4500, averaging $4100, while William Peck, Mundulla, selected four to $5550, averaging $4563.

T and B Johnston, Coonamble, bought four rams at $3000.

Red Hill's Aimee Toole said they were happy with the results and the support from their clients.

She said the focus each year was on continuous improvement, looking at productive traits.

The sale was conducted by Nutrien with Brad Wilson the auctioneer and AuctionsPlus providing the online interface.