The sale drew stud breeders and commercial lamb producers from across the country.

The results were extremely good and appropriate for this significant milestone. There were 65 registered bidders from four states in attendance at this year’s sale, plus 35 users connected via the active Auctions Plus network, bringing a fifth state onto the successful buyers’ list.

Despite difficulties presented by the season in a lot of the country, including the Wimmera and Mallee regions, the strength of competition on the lines of ewes and rams drove the overall result up, resulting in 230 lots averaging $1809 in a 95 per cent clearance.

No doubt the highlight was the stunning $26,000 top price in the stud ram draft of 30 rams. This was bid by Kelvin Fitzgerald, Elders Mildura, operating for his client Roger Wilkinson, Camborn Station, Wentworth, NSW for DG 170591, a beautifully balanced August drop son of DG 0485 Tw.

With Lambplan figures as impressive as his exceptional phenotype, including 17.64 for Pwwt, -0.14 for Pfat, 1.58 for Pemd and a Carcase Plus index of 207, it was a standout ram in an outstanding draft that averaged $5150.

This was up $1806 on last year’s average and $17,000 on last year’s $9000 top price.

Rivers Hyde, Kohat stud, Ongerup, WA connected to the sale via phone and successfully negotiated a semen share in this sale topping ram.

Elders stud stock auctioneer Ross Milne said he was very impressed by the sale.

“It was an outstanding line-up right through with some standout individual animals, but there were plenty of both stud and commercial rams that sold at great value which was a real feature,” he said.

Detpa Grove principal David Pipkorn said the rain they’d had leading up to the sale improved confidence and gave some hope in the immediate area, which helped this result.

“It’s been a tough year and the sheep have had to be tough to get through it, but we’re very happy with how they came up and sold,” he said.

“We’re very appreciative of the great support we received today.”