*100 of 100 White Suffolk rams sold to $3500, av $1868.
*17 of 50 Dohne rams sold to $2100, av $1006
Switching into prime lambs has seen one Natimuk wool producer pick up the top-priced ram at Wimmera's West Wail Dohne Merino and White Suffolk stud annual sale.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Pimpino stud cleared all its White Suffolks, for a top price of $3500.
The top priced ram was bought by the Klowss family, Natimuk, where 17-year old Liam intends to use it over Merinos, to produce prime lambs.
"Actually my son's bought the ram, and he's going to put him over our five year old ewes," Mr Klowss senior said.
"We haven't had prime lambs for about 15 years, we are on big-framed, Moorundie rams, out of South Australia.
READ MORE:
"Liam reckons he's leaving school and this is going to be his venture for next year."
He said the decision was diversifying from what they'd done before.
"But you've got to give him a bit of a go," he said.
"They'll go really well, over our big plain ewes - we are aiming to produce a big, fast-growing lamb."
The Klowss family ended up buying three rams.
The top-selling ram, lot 21, was sired by West Wail 160142tw.
The May, 2019-drop ram had a birth weight of 4.3 kilograms, a weaning weight of 43kg and a sale weight of 111kg.
He had a fat measurement of 5, an eye muscle depth of 51mm and an eye muscle area of 41.5 square centimetres.
West Wail White Suffolk manager Jason Ellis said the stud was hoping for a total clearance, but was also pleased with the increase in the average price.
"It was a very pleasant surprise, we made a couple of hundred dollars more," Mr Ellis said.
"We have had a bit of of a spring here, the season has not cut off as early.
"They were all paddock reared, it was a nice change from having to supplementary feed."
Mr Ellis said the family had discussed selling online but decided to go down the traditional path.
"It exceeded my expectations," he said.
There were two or three bidders competing on the same style animal, with several rams going for more than $3000.
"A lot of the guys were looking for low birthweights and pretty good weaning weights, and liked the style and presence of the ram," he said.
The White Suffolk breed was holding its own against other meat sheep.
"They are easy lambing, easy-care sheep, with pretty handy growth rates," Mr Ellis said.
Driscoll, McIllree and Dickinson's' Will Schilling said repeat buyers turned up to secure several rams each.
"It was a very strong line up of rams, all the way through," Mr Schilling said.
"It was a credit to them - obviously the season has been fantastic, around Horsham and Wail, so I think it's probably the heaviest run of rams they have had for a number of years," Mr Schiling said.
"They have such a good following, around the Horsham district so they decided not to go with AuctionsPlus, and I don't think it really mattered.
"Positive lamb prices are bringing a few people back there."
He said a number of buyers, who hadn't bought at West Wail for a while, returned to this year's sale.
If you are seeing this message you are a loyal digital subscriber to the Wimmera Mail-Times, as we made this story available only to subscribers. Thank you very much for your support and allowing us to continue telling the Wimmera's story. We appreciate your support of local journalism.