Carcase traits and wool genetics lead to Normanhurst dual sale-toppers

Stud and commercial buyers were chasing Border Leicester rams with growth and carcase at the 22nd annual Normanhurst on-property sale at Boorowa on Thursday, October 1.

The top price of $4000 was achieved twice, with bidders going hard early.

Lot 1, tag 133/25, was the first ram to hit $4000, bought by Rob Hain, Gunyah, Cooma.

The ram was by Cooinda 32/23, going back to Gleneith 220/21, out of Normanhurst 31/20.

Mr Hain said the top-price ram stood out for his conformation and carcase, with an "extra bit of growth".

He has been buying rams at Normanhurst for nearly 15 years, to join with about 1000 of his 2200 self-replacing Merino ewes.

He targets the first-cross sale at Yass in November, which has topped a couple of times through the years.

"I'm very happy with how the genetics are going," he said.

"Normanhurst always have been good carcase sheep, which is good for our wether lambs and then for the first-cross ewes."

Mr Hain said the first-cross ewe market had been a "rollercoaster" in recent years from a hit at the end of 2023 to the record prices achieved this year, but it was positive to see the good results.

He also runs a Hereford stud, commercial cattle and Merino ewes, but said the first-cross enterprise was a solid part of his operation.

All up, he bought five rams.

The next ram to hit the $4000 high came soon after, at lot 2, tag 87/25, a ram that had stood second to the champion ram in the feature Border Leicester showing at the NSW Sheep Show in Dubbo.

He was the first Glenlee Park 153/23 son offered in the sale, from dam Normanhurst 323/22.

He will go on to stud duties after being bought by Greg and Karen Waters, Ryanah Border Leicesters, Gundary, Goulburn.

This was the first time the Waters had bought at Normanhurst, after seeing that ram perform well at shows.

"He's a good, well-shaped ram that will suit our ewes really well," Mr Waters said.

"We liked the way he stood on his feet and he'll be a nice ram to have with our flock."

He will be joined with the stud's 50 maiden ewes.

The strength continued as lot 3, tag 83/25, sold for $3500 to Pat Dwyer, Shamrock Border Leicesters, Boorowa.

The ram had stood third in the Border Leicester feature breed at Dubbo but was the supreme Border Leicester exhibit at the Canberra Royal in February.

The 128-kilogram ram was another Glenlee Park 153/23 son, from Normanhurst 330/22, which goes back to Glencorrie 248/16.

Mr Dwyer has bought stud sires at Normanhurst for the past two years and went along for a look this year.

"The Corkhills always do have good sheep," he said.

"That fellow impressed me with his figures and structure - he's the complete package."

Mr Dwyer said the carcase attributes were a big selling point, as they were key for first-cross operators, but this ram also had a mix of good eye muscle area, fat and physical appearance.

"He also had a very good fleece so ticked the three boxes - phenotype, carcase and wool," he said.

The ram will be used in their stud operation, alongside the 160 stud ewes.

Volume buyers included ML and KA McGufficke; BJ, ME and MC Walker and J and R Phillips.

All up, 48 of 66 rams averaged $1675.

Normanhurst's Ash Corkhill said they were exceptionally proud of this year's draft of rams.

"They were commercially-focused with special attention to muscle, wool and overall correctness," he said.

He said it was good to see returning as well as new clients, with hopes the new clients will soon become familiar faces.

The sale was conducted by Nutrien with Rick Power the auctioneer.