Jordan the king of Lewisdale sale

Lewisdale’s sale team leader, Lewisdale Jordan, was well worthy of its $27,500 top price when the Lewis family offered half semen rights on the prized ram at their annual on-property sale at Wickepin last week.

The four-tooth 22.3 micron ram, in full fleece and sired by Seymour Park George, was judged supreme exhibit at the Rabobank WA Sheep Expo in August.

The highly awarded ram’s half semen rights were secured by the Pascoe family, of East Pingelly, who are using a vigorous artificial insemination program to improve their flock.

Lewisdale stud co-principal Ray Lewis said the Pascoes had 400 ewes artificially inseminated last year to fast-track their commercial flock breeding program.

Overall, the sale was a total clear-ance with all 240 lots selling for an average price of $2142, up $436 per unit on last year when 270 lots sold for an average price of $1706.

Also working off the top line, Stephen Fowler, of Jumbuck Plains, Esperance, secured two $5000 second top-priced 2016-drop stud Poll rams plus a third for $4200 and two 2017-drop Polls for $3400 and $2800.

“I was selecting for long stapled, white crimpy wool on large frames,” he said.

Mr Fowler, who has been using Lewisdale genetics since 1983, said he would use the rams in a 600 head nucleus flock to breed flock rams for a 15,000-head commercial ewe breeding program.

The Chisholm family, of Ongerup, were also keen on the 2016-drop stud rams securing two plus another six 2017-drop Polls for a total average price of $2812.

Snow Chisholm said he was selecting for free-growing white wool.

The Bond family, of Quairading, secured eight rams for an average price of $2825.

Account Milanna Holdings was very active at the sale with Lewisdale representative John Sherlock bidding on its behalf and securing a total of 12 rams for an average price of $2575.

Account Sancta Monica Farms secured 16 rams to a top of $3300 and average price of $2356.

Volume buyers included the Morrone family, which secured 15 rams to a top price of $2900 and average price of $2373. Michael Morrone said he was selecting for frame and wool quality for his family’s 2300-head ewe flock, which was slowly building in numbers.

Returning Eastern States account Rejall Park, of Horsham, Victoria, bought 13 rams for an average price of $2008.

Repeat volume buyer Joe Della Vedova, of Condingup, secured 37 rams to a top price of $2700 and average price of $1857.

“I was selecting for frame and volume, quality wool types for my family’s 10,000 ewe flock,” he said.

Mr Della Vedova, who has been using Lewisdale genetics since the mid-80s, said the season had turned from drought to flood, but he was still keen to lift sheep numbers through it all.

Mr Lewis opened the sale with an encouraging message that sheep and wool was currently experiencing peak times.