Midfield

Australia - Big money for Down sheep

12 Oct 2012

CONSIDERING the lamb market has significantly fallen since last year, Peter and Gillian Cain were content with the solid results of their Glenmore Poll Dorset ram sale at Carisbrook last Wednesday.






 
Their second annual sale saw 72 out of 81 May-drop rams reach a high of $1500, averaging $762.
"I'm very happy with the results," he said.
 
 
"The lamb market is going through a bit of a tough time, but it's great to see buyers still have the confidence to purchase top quality rams."
 
 
He said investing in good genetics would help producers reap dividends in the long run.
The overall average eased only slightly compared to last year's sale av of $790.
 
 
Condah stud breeder Sam Rundell paid the top price for a stud ram at $1500.
 
 
The animal tipped the scales at 121 kilograms, and displayed an eye muscle area of 40.84 square centimetres. His muscle width measured 104mm, and his muscle depth 51mm.
 
 
The first-time buyer, who runs 120 ewes, liked the ram's length. "I expected to pay about this price," he said.
 
 
Brian Nicholls, who travelled to the sale with his daughter Julieanne from their East Gippsland property, purchased the second-highest priced ram at $1400.
 
 
The 133kg animal's muscle width measured 104mm, muscle depth 50mm and EMA 40cm.
He had previously won the Coles supermarket class at the 2011 Hamilton Sheepvention.
 
 
"I thought the prices were good today; these were a magnificent line-up of rams," Mr Nicholls said.
"Lamb prices are down, but I want to keep going and pushing my genetics."
 
 
The Nicholls, who ran 4000 sheep at Sale, breed their own Poll Dorset rams to join to a Merino flock.
Other buyers included Eddington prime lamb producer Mark Ford, who runs 10,000 sheep. He bought seven rams to $500.
 
 
"I've been buying rams from here for about 10 years," he said. "You get good lambs, which is what you want."
 
 
At the conclusion of the sale Mr Cain was pleased to see a mix of return and new clients had made purchases.

Source: farmonline.com.au

Marel

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