2011 Bundara Downs Spring Sale

By CATHERINE MILLER

BUNDARA Downs stud's marathon sale did not skip a beat with a total clearance of the largest offering of White Suffolk flock rams in the South East for the season.

During the past few years, stud principals Steve, Ros and Greg Funke, from Western Flat, have gradually grown their numbers with their client base stretching from western Victoria to the Upper South East.

Despite putting in an extra 24 rams, they still managed to lift their flock ram average by $70 on 2010.

At their 15th annual production sale last Friday, six White Suffolk stud rams averaged $3283, and 200 growthy flock rams averaged a tremendous $962 as producers looked to reinvest their good prime lamb returns in flock improving genetics.

The Poll Dorset sale was less animated with the flock rams particularly good buying at an $846 average.

In just under three hours, 274 White Suffolk and Poll Dorset stud and commercial rams changed hands - grossing nearly $290,000.

Stud rams sold to four states, demonstrating Bundara Downs standing within the White Suffolk breed, with the $5400 top price ram selling to Western Australia.

The April 2010-drop sold to first-time buyers Anthony and Fleur McDonald, Kuloomba stud, Esperance.

Many of the stud rams were sired by champions from Adelaide Royal, including the sale-topper - a son of the 2007 Royal champion BD 064398 which sold for $24,000.

It also had a great balance of LAMBPLAN figures with a Carcase Plus Index of +182.67 and Lamb 2020 index of 111.07.

Graeme and Rosemary Small, Abrona stud, Marrar, New South Wales, paid the $5100 second top price ram for another high indexing ram sired by Bundara Downs' 2009 senior champion.

By the same sire, Doug, Annette and Barry Hobson, Banjanda stud, Burrumbeet, Victoria, outlaid $4200 for a ram with plenty of width and depth of loin.

Peter and Julie Button, Ramsay Park, Minlaton, who held their ram sale the same day were successful on a $2000 ram, bidding over the phone.

Stud enquiry continued into the flock ram offering with Jim and Jan Ward, Jardene stud, Woodchester, securing both $2000 rams to be upgraded to their stud.

There were some large orders among the 49 registered bidders who appreciated the new cushioning on the seats. Eight buyers took home 10 or more rams.

Two independent agents really pushed the clearance rates with Brenton Henriks, Henriks Rural Agencies, Bordertown, securing 27 rams and Richard Harvie, Pinkerton Palm Hamlyn & Steen, Naracoorte, putting together 38 rams on numerous buying cards.

Scott Tweed, STC Rural Holdings, from Bendigo, lead the individual buying charge with 34 rams for a $765 average.

Repeat buyer Wayne Hawkins, Circle H Farms, Frances, bought 21 White Suffolks and LJ&PD Schwarz buying through Landmark Hamilton took home 15 rams.

Pat and Ben Stark, from Naracoorte, were the volume Poll Dorset buyers with 15 rams to a $1200 high.

Stud principal Steve Funke said it was a very pleasing result, especially being able to put up such a consistent quality catalogue of White Suffolks accompanied with well-balanced LAMBPLAN figures.

Late in the catalogue, many rams still had CPI of 175 and above.

Mr Funke said that by offering high-indexing rams with growth and muscling buyers would be able to focus more on visually selecting those rams which suited their prime lamb business.

"Some of the sales this year have been up and down but we would like to think our clients are backing the direction of our breeding program - we have a very dedicated client base," he said.

It follows the success of Bundara Downs genetics at the Royal Adelaide Show where many of the broad ribbon winners and high-price rams in the elite ram sale were sired by their genetics.

Elders were the sole selling agents with Laryn Gogel and Steven Doecke the auctioneers.