Commercial breeders were again spoilt for choice at Woolumbool studs' 37th annual on-property auction on Wednesday, with more than 200 rams from three sheep breeds on offer.
The Clothier family has spent decades performance recording traits in their flock and although the rams on offer were lighter due to the challenging season many were still ranked in the top 10per cent and even 5pc on index and key traits.
It was two previous White Suffolk stud clients which have had plenty of success with Woolumbool genetics that each outlaid the $3000 sale high for their top picks.
The first of these- lot 49, Woolumbool 233474 sold to Barrie and Emma Gale, Fingerpost stud, Monarto South.
The spring 2023 drop had a TCP index of 162.4 and LEQ of 167.2- both ranking in the top 10 per cent of all terminal sires on the Sheep Genetics database.
Mr Gale said the appeal was the ram's positive fat figure of 0.51 which he said his clients were looking for.
"He stands square, he is strong on his feet , he is clean across the head and is smooth across the topline"
Mr Gale said Woolumbool had a similar breeding philosophy to them and in their ram sale this year half of the first 10 rams were by a ram they bought in 2021.
"Aaron is a top operator. He is thorough with his figures and paddock reared so you can guarantee what you see in the ring is what you are going to produce," he said.
A few lots later Nutrien Naracoorte key account manager Brendan Fitzgerald bid up for lot 61, Woolon behalf of Keith Ladyman, Kantara White Suffolks, Dumbleyung, WA.
Mr Ladyman said the appeal of the ram was its impressive figures including a post weaning weight of 18.3and TCP index of 165.6.
"He had a good balance of figures across the board, really structurally correct and a good type and we liked his pedigree with his sire a Farrer ram which was bought for $15,600 and is one of the highest indexing White Suffolk ram there is," he said.
Mr Ladyman said they had achieved good results with Woolumbool bloodlines with a ewe which Kantara set a WA record in 2021 at $4000 sired by a Woolumbool ram.
The averages lifted in all three breeds compared to 2023's sale- although there were 24 rams fewer rams sold
In the White Suffolk offering 79 of 89 rams sold for a $1300 average, while 64 of 90 Poll Dorsets averaged $1153, topping at $1800.
PC Ross, Lucindale, put together 11 Poll Dorsets for a $1391 average, including the $1800 top priced Poll Dorset at lot 22.
Buyers were more selective on the Multi-Meat offering, bred for their high fecundity, with 13 of these selling to a $1600 twice and averaging $1130.
Peel Pastoral, Wrattonbully, was also a volume buyer with six Multi-meats, including one of the sale toppers at lot 215.
They also took home seven White Suffolks to $1800 for a $1343 average.
Also among the volume buyers Longbottom Partners, Mount Benson, secured 18 White Suffolk rams for a $1206 average.
Stud principal Aaron Clothier believed their clients knew they were getting really good rams at great value.
"They get a bit of a hard life on this place and that gives them a bit of longevity and that hardiness," he said.
Mr Clothier said the rams had turned inside out since August but had been worried when lotting them earlier in the season about whether they would be presentable for a sale.
"I am against feeding but this year I had to do it a little bit. he said.
Nutrien SA stud stock manager Gordon Wood- who shared the auctioneering duties with Elders' Ronnie Dix- said the genetic potential of rams which were some of the youngest terminal sires on offer during ram sale season was still evident.
"They very much get what is in the paddock so what you see is what you get," he said.
"It is testament to the breeding and performance data that they are injecting into the flock, they are putting the ability into the sheep that when the grass does turn they turn inside out."
He said it was smart decision by the Clothier family to reduce the size of their offering.
"They have a good following here but there is some reality around how many rams we can sell this year with less ewes and lentils replacing a lot of lambs," Mr Wood said.
Story courtesy of Catherine Miller, The Stock Journal.
https://www.stockjournal.com.au/story/8783667/top-woolumbool-rams-draw-keen-buyers-at-auction/?cs=14670