Structure and growth has bidders chase productive Bulmar Ultra Whites
Interstate and local buyers competed strongly on a run of shedding sheep in the Bulmar Production Sale, at Manildra on Friday, October 2.
All up, there was full clearance of the 53 Ultra White rams to a top of $10,500 and an average of $3277, while 10 of 16 Dorper rams sold to $2200, averaging $1860.
A line of 22 mixed-age Ultra White ewes also sold to a $850 top, averaging $750.
The top-price ram, Bulmar 250224, went to Gamadale Australian White stud, Lascelles, Vic, with bidding carried out via AuctionsPlus.
The ram was by Bulmar 190287 "Boss", which went back to Hillcroft 177892, while the dam was Bulmar 200268.
The July 2025-drop ram had Australian sheep breeding values that included a birthweight in the top 10 per cent at -0.24, while the intramuscular fat of -0.20 was in the top 30pc.
Gamadale stud principal Nip Rowney said he had been looking for a good Ultra White ram for a while.
"This was the best ram I could find," he said.
"He was exceptional."
He said the ram stood out for his length, width and clean shedding, while fitting the type he was looking for.
"He did look good and I wasn't going to let him get away," he said.
The ram will be joined with some of his Australian White ewes.
"We'll put him over a few ewes and see what becomes of it," he said.
Also catching plenty of bidding attention was Bulmar 250238, another July 2025-drop with a top 10pc birthweight figure, by Bulmar 230155, out of dam Bulmar 230118, going back to Bulmar 210156 "Oskar".
That ram was bought for $5600 by R and S Loveridge, Gunbar, as their sole purchase.
Plenty of bidders selected in bulk, including first-time ram buyer Cosimo Dibello, Mickleham, Vic, who made the trip up to see the rams after buying some Bulmar ewes via AuctionsPlus.
"I saw the rams advertised and came up to have a look - they're a good style of ram," he said.
Mr Dibello runs about 1000 Suffolk ewes, introducing the 100 shedding ewes in the interest of easy maintenance.
He selected 17 rams in total, bidding to $4000 and averaging $3106.
"I was looking for good structure, good feet, good topline and shedding, and they've all got a nice carcase," he said.
Benah Ag and Half Moon Ag, Nyngan, took home 12 rams with a top of $4200 and an average $3100.
Dom and Jack Kennedy have been running Ultra White sheep since 2008, with about 7000 ewes, and selecting Bulmar rams for the past five years.
Dom Kennedy said they were looking to produce fat lambs so wanted growth alongside good structure.
Jack said they sometimes bred their own rams so tended to pick from the top end of the catalogue, liking the good growth and weight on offer.
The 22 ewes were all selected by Gingie Pastoral Co, Dirranbandi, Qld.
Bidding via AuctionsPlus, BRC Agency, Swan Hill, Vic, selected eight of the 10 Dorper rams, bidding to $2200, averaging $1850.
Jason Mewburn, Tomingley, bought five Ultra White rams to $4200, averaging $3360.
Bulmar stud principal Izak 'Bully' Malherbe was "pretty ecstatic" with the sale results.
He said they had a real focus on structure and soundness, with the low birthweights throughout the catalogue just a byproduct.
He was pleased to see the strong support, from new and returning bidders, chasing their "sound sheep".
"It proves there is a place in the world for stockmen," he said.
The sale was conducted by Elders with Martin Simmons auctioneering and AuctionsPlus providing the interface.
