White Suffolks
Stud rams: Six offered and sold to $6000, av $2683
Specially selected rams: 10 offered and sold to $8000 av $2160
Flock rams: 168 offered and sold to $1600 av $893
Poll Dorsets
Stud rams: Two offered and sold to $2200 av $1900
Specially selected rams: 10 offered and sold to $2100 av $1650
Flock rams: 64 offered and 51 sold to $1500 av $798
By CATHERINE MILLER
RECORDS tumbled at Bundara Downs' White Suffolk and Poll Dorset stud's annual on-property ram sale at Western Flat on Friday last week, with an on-property stud record of $8000 and a new $2000 flock ram high.
Anthony and Suzanne Ferguson, Anna Villa stud, Weetulta, outlasted strong phone bidding from Elders stud stock's Ross Milne on behalf of a client to secure the top ram, a 137.5 kilogram April 2009-drop.
The well-balanced ram was a son of Bundara Downs 6028 – the 2009 senior champion White Suffolk ram sold at last year's Royal Adelaide Show Elite Ram Sale at $21,000 to Nalvin stud, Western Australia, and been used by eight different studs across Australia.
Mr Ferguson said the ram had caught his eye at the recent Royal Adelaide Show with its "length, thickness and balance of figures", with a Carcase Plus index of 196.07.
The high price easily eclipsed stud principals Steve, Ros and Greg Funke's $5000 on-property record and continued their golden ram selling run for 2010.
A fortnight earlier they sold the top and second-top price rams in the Royal Adelaide Show Elite Ram sale for $14,000 and $12,500.
Another leading stud, Days Whiteface stud, Bordertown, run by Lachlan and Lou Day, outlaid $6000 for a high performance May 2009-drop ram with a CP index of 187.27.
There was also exceptional commercial support from the South East and western Victoria and a total clearance of the 168 White Suffolk flock rams for a $893 average, and 51 of 64 Poll Dorsets averaging $798.
The stands were again packed to capacity, and the sustained bidding throughout the sale included $1100 for a ram in the final pen of White Suffolk flocks, demonstrating the evenness of the offering.
Two local agents were strong supporters of the sale, Pinkerton Palm Hamlyn & Steen's Richard Harvie putting together 23 White Suffolks and two Poll Dorsets for five different clients.
Henriks Rural Agencies Bordertown's Brenton Henriks, surrounded by clients, bought 22 White Suffolk rams and four Poll Dorsets, including the $2200 top price stud ram and $1500 top price flock ram.
Leon Schwartz, buying through Landmark Hamilton, Vic, took 10 to $1400, and first time buyer Damian Croser, Penola was also among the bidding action with 18 in the top-end of the catalogue.
Volume Poll Dorset flock ram buyer was Roger and Ben Stark from Stewarts Range, taking 16 rams between $800 and $900.
Mr Funke said the sale was well beyond their expectations and he was thrilled to see the two top price rams sell into noted studs.
"Our daughters both had milestones this week with their graduations, but we have achieved a milestone of our own," he said.
"It was an exceptional result with one of the most rewarding that recognised studs are using our genetics." Another sale highlight was the success of the progeny of high price rams from Bundara Downs, including BD6028 which was used as a ram lamb within the stud and produced about 90 lambs, some of which were standouts in the sale.
Mr Funke said it was also tremendous to include 25 more White Suffolk and Poll Dorset rams in this year's catalogue and only fall about $25 short of last year's White Suffolk flock ram average.
"We have a very dedicated clientele who have a lot of faith in what we are doing," he said.
Elders conducted the sale with Laryn Gogel and Nick Harton auctioneers.