Southdown-cross rams top auction at Kismet's annual sale
Southdown-cross rams were the highlight of Kismet stud's 43rd annual spring sale, held on-property at Howlong on Wednesday, October 7.
A run of July/August 2025-drop Southdown-White Suffolk, Poll Dorset and White Suffolk rams were on offer with buyers from NSW and Victoria active.
The equal top price of $2700 was reached for two Southdown-White Suffolk rams, Kismet 262 and Kismet 42, which were both knocked down to Avmac Ag, Coreen.
Kismet 262 was 118 kilograms and had an eye muscle area (EMA) of 34.10 square centimetres, while Kismet 42 was 115kg and had an EMA of 34.65sqcm.
Richard Wynne, Nutrien Corowa, purchased the rams on behalf of Avmac and said they were selected for their body shape and muscle.
Mr Wynne said Avmac had a predominantly Merino lamb operation but puts crossbreds with their classed-out ewes and had purchased rams from Kismet before.
The top-priced White Suffolk was Kismet 161, which sold for $2400 to Gulliver Farms, Balldale.
The 114kg ram had an EMA of 30.18sqcm.
Gulliver Farms bought five White Suffolk rams to average $2100.
The top-priced Poll Dorset was Kismet 655, which sold for $2400 to AH Odewahn and Sons, Walla Walla.
The buyer also picked up a second Poll Dorset ram, Kismet 1090 for $1400.
Volume buyers included Valeclare Farm, Boorhaman, Vic, which bought 17 White Suffolk rams to a top of $2100 to average $1565.
N McQualter and Sons, Mulwala, purchased six White Suffolk rams to a top of $2200 to average $1700.
Kismet stud principal Graham Wilson said he was happy with the standard of rams the whole way through the catalogue, with the draft heavier than last year after a good season.
"They were well-rounded and in good order," he said.
At the fall of the hammer, 71 of 120 White Suffolk rams sold to a top of $2400 and for an average of $1535; 25 of 40 Southdown-White Suffolk rams sold to a top of $2700 twice and for an average of $1752 and 17 of 40 Poll Dorset rams sold to a top of $2400 to average $1341.
Further rams were sold following the auction.
The sale was conducted by Elders and Bullen Livestock Agents, with Oliver Mason, Elders, and Murray Bullen, Bullen Livestock, sharing the rostrum as auctioneers.
AuctionsPlus provided the online interface.
