Southrose top to NSW

In a marathon four-hour sale, Jono and Zel Ashby achieved a total clearance of nearly 2700 ewes and rams.

The 73 registered bidders stretched from Eyre Peninsula to Central NSW and demand was particularly strong on the top-end ewes, the best ewe hoggets making $900.

The 2012-drop hit $800 and the best of the 2011-drop made $350 but there was also a chance for commercial breeders to buy 1.5 to 3.5-year-olds at $150 to $240.

The elite ewes of each age group were offered in pens of about 10 under a three-hammer system, the first two buyers given the pick in the pen and third taking the remainder of the pen.

The remainder of each age group was offered in groups of 20 to 30.

Graham Coddington, Coddington Poll-Uardry stud, Yeoval, paid the $900 top for a 2013-drop ewe with an impressive pedigree, growth and wool cut, and good spread of Australian Sheep Breeding Values (ASBVs) including a fleece weight figure of 11.5.

Also among his buys were the highest-price 2012-drop ewes - three at $800.

"We were the losing bidder when Southrose bought the $110,000 Billa Burra ram years ago, so we have always liked the same sheep they have liked," he said.

"They have been great supporters of the industry so I wanted to support them."

The 622 ewe lambs from a wide range of semen sires and natural matings sold particularly well, averaging $131.

Among those most keenly sought were progeny of Coddington Poll 115035, which SA stud Orrie Cowie bought for $28,000 in 2013.

Colin, Julie, Katelyn and Wade Boughen, Kamora Park, Karoonda, SA, bought four of these daughters at the $525 top ewe lamb price.

The $3000 top-price ram lamb was also sired by Coddington Poll 115035 and was knocked down to Geoff and Bernadette Davidson, Moorundie, Keith, SA.

A.P. and S. Millear, Stud Park South stud, Willaura, Victoria, were among the top-end volume ewe buyers, taking 96 from various age groups including the top-price 2011 drop ewes at $350.

Another sale highlight was one of the 16 stud sires making $5200, paid by Paul Blanche, Brightling Park, Bathurst, NSW.

Mr Ashby said it was pleasing to see the large number of studs and the presence of many of their loyal commercial clients .

"We are sad to be winding up a stud that has been a passion for our family for many years but happy to see what we have created and to know that our genetics will continue to play their part in the Merino industry for years to come," he said.

Spence Dix and Co director Rodney Dix said it was a good result - top-end ewes were keenly sought and the seconds sold well-above commercial prices.

He praised the couple's breeding direction - putting frame and carcase into their sheep.

"In the past five years they have improved the stud immensely and considering the state of play of the red meat industry they have definitely been on the right track," he said.

Spence Dix and Co conducted the sale. Auctioneers were Luke Schreiber, Jonathan Spence and Josh Manser.