Strong buyer demand at Dowerin ram sale

Ejanding Merino and Poll Merino rams were in demand at the Jones family’s on-property ram sale at Dowerin last week, with competitive bidding pushing prices to $3600.

Overall, the stud offered 180 rams through Landmark and Elders, with 165 selling for an average price of $1748, which was down $223 per head on last year’s buoyant result behind better seasonal conditions.

Ejanding stud co-principal Brett Jones said he was pleased with the sale and the many long-time return buyers who took part.

Top-price honours, for the second year in a row, went to the Millstead family, of Mocardy stud, of Wongan Hills, who secured Ejanding Poll 18-5674, a replacement ram which was selected by Mr Jones before the sale as a stud reserve.

Sired by Ejanding Poll Felix-167089, it was Mason Millstead’s first pick on the day, based on criteria including its Australian Sheep Breeding Values.

“We selected the ram on its long stapled and bold crimping wool, for purposes of shearing six-monthly,” he said.

“The ram will be used in our nucleus stud flock over our bigger ewes.”

The featured ram’s August wool measurements included 20 micron, 3.8 SD, 19 CV, 61.2 yield and a comfort factor of 99.3 and its top 10 per cent ASBVs were highlighted with figures of 21.4 YCFW, 9.4 YWT, 150 DP index and 155 Merino+.

The underbidder on the Felix son was repeat buyer Adam Metcalfe, who trades as John Metcalfe & Son, of Dowerin.

Mr Metcalfe secured a total of six Polls to a top of $2900 and average price of $2484.

“I was selecting on ASBVs and wool cut, for my family’s 1600 commercial ewe flock,” he said.

From the Merino section of the catalogue, 60-year clients the Kerr family, of Coorow, paid the top price of $2800 for Ejanding-18-0050, the heaviest 124kg ram with 20.5 micron and DP index of 149. Ian Kerr also bought two Poll Merinos to a top of $3000 and another four Merinos for a total of seven rams for an average price of $2286.

“I was selecting for soft white wools on good yielding frames for our 2300 commercial ewe flock, which is averaging a lambing per cent of 96 per cent,” he said.

In another stud purchase, Shane Edwards, of Stockhill stud, at Quairading, paid $2300 for Ejanding Merino ram 18-0080. “The ram had great balance throughout its wool measurements and will be used in my stud,” he said.

Volume buyer was from Moonijin account W Emmott & Sons, which secured a total of 13 Poll Merinos to a top of $1600 and average price of $1223.

Simon Emmott said he selected for white wools and fleece weight for his family’s 4000 head commercial ewe flock.