Good returns for quality genetics

Opening ram sales included a bigger selection of SRS type at the Wilkinson family's Challara on-property auction at Badgingarra last week.

Stud co-principal Peter Wilkinson said quality was up with the penning of 136 mostly Poll Merinos with full Australia Sheep Breeding Values attached.

Values fell by $248 per head when 125 were sold on-the-rail to a top of $2300 and an average price of $1160, as compared to last year when a total clearance of 119 rams averaged $1408 to a top of $2400.

Landmark auctioneer Deane Allen said it was a good result, considering the extra 10 rams offered and as the new season of ram sales had buyer's interests somewhat conservative in numbers required.

"There was a good registration of 31 buyers, many returning for the quality genetics on offer," he said.

With the present fly season looking thick as thieves, Mr Allen remarked throughout the auction that Challara's selection of white woollen rams would carry fly resistance quality and that many had low worm count.

Account G & N Wilkinson, of Badgingarra, was quick to act, paying $1800 for lot one, a fine example of quality fleece.

Nine rams reached the heights of $2000 or better, each going to a different commercial producer.

The two $2300 equal top-price buyers were Morawa breeder Mark Coaker and Badgingarra sheep producer Joe Felber.

Mr Coaker and his wife, Sara, run a flock of 800 breeding ewes and it was there second year of attending the Challara sale.

"We have been on SRS type sheep for 10 years and have been selecting sheep on ASBV values for the last two years," Mr Coaker said.

He bought two Poll rams, at weights of 101kg and 103kg, with the former having a 40mm eye muscle depth and the latter measured 18.7 microns.

Mr Felber, who has bought Challara rams for more than five years, said he liked the wool quality and big frame of his ram purchase.

"I will use him to breed my own flock rams," he said.

Account GC Rose & Co, of Dandaragan, bought one Poll ram for $2200 which carried a 20.3 micron fleece.

Repeat buyer Dennis Martin, of GA & PA Martin & Son, Badgingarra, bought six rams to a top of $2000 and average of $1367.

Volume buyer A & G Kenny, of Badgingarra, bought 10 rams to a top of $1600 and average price of $1140.

New buyer interest came from account PR & CM Kupsch, of Walkaway, securing four rams for an average price of $1725.

An undisclosed new buyer bought 13 rams for an average price of $769.

Challara ram sale *

Offered * 136

Sold *125

Top price *$2300(2)

Average * $1160