AN all-Victorian gallery of buyers snapped up every White Suffolk ram on offer at the ninth annual Sunnydale sale at Rupanyup last month.
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Troy Hemley of Glenorchy paid the top price of $2500.
“I like them square, from front to back,” he said.
Originally with Poll Dorsets, he said he switched to White Suffolks to “put more on the points” of his sheep. Sired by Detpa Grove 120648, the July, 2016 drop ram recorded LAMBPLAN Australian Sheep Breeding Values (ASBV’s) of a 0.449kilogram birthweight (BWT), 9.942kg weaning weight (WWT), a 15.477 post weaning weight (PWWT).
The ram had a post weaning fat (PFAT) of -1.056 millimetres and a post weaning eye muscle depth (PEMD) of 1.688mm.
Stud co-principal Andrew Weidemann said new buyers and longer term clients were well represented.
“It’s really good to see the industry is going so well at the moment,” Mr Weidemann said.
“A lot of our clients have had really terrific results in the past couple of years.
“The rams are doing the job and the profits that are being made out of the livestock sector are really pleasing.”
He said rams went to Echuca, Ouyen, Balmoral, Nhill, Warracknabeal and Marnoo.
“They like the longer frame and the muscling that is on the animals and also the growth rates are really important to them, too,” he said.
Victorian farmers were swinging back into livestock, with some bringing Merinos from Western Australia, due to the shortage of store sheep.
“The rams will be mated with the ewes from Western Australia. That was one of the main indicators from the sale,” Mr Weidemann said.
“It’s all very positive for the meat industry – that’s where the money is.”
Rodwells conducted the sale on September 22.
Meanwhile, the sun was shining at Marnoo as nine Merino sheep studs opened their gates for the region’s annual field day.
Old Dundee, Charinga, Banavie, Gowandale, Belbourie, Oakbank, Forest Springs, Sohnic, and Wallaloo Park took part in the Marnoo Merino Field Day, which saw people visit from throughout the state.
Marnoo Field Day president Tim Polkinghorne said the event was a chance for studs to show off their flock.
“There’s a fair bit of diversity between the [nine] studs, whether they’re focusing on lambing percentage or productivity, but one thing we’re all trying to focus on is profitability for our clients,” Mr Polkinghorne said.