Buoyant sale at Wattle Wood Springs

The auction got off to a strong start with the first run of eight rams sold at an average $1131.

The first 24 Suffolk rams were sold individually with the final eight offered as a pick of the pen.

Jamie Helyar, Penneshaw, KI, returned to pick up the top price ram for the second year, paying $1500 for lot 3.

The August-drop ram, from an Allendale sire and Blackbutt dam, had a fat score of three and an eye muscle depth of 37.

It weighed in at 99 kilograms, with a weight increase of 50kg during the 88 day period since weaning, an average gain of 568 grams.

“He’s nice framed and not too long in the legs,” Mr Helyar said.

“He’ll hopefully make a lot of lambs for us.

“I’ve been buying here a few years and they do perform well where we are.”

Stud principal Gary Gum said the sale, now in its fourth year, was the “best sale we’ve had”.

“We had repeat buyers, which is really pleasing, and some new ones,” he said.

He said the rams had stood up to a tough season quite well, with average weights even higher than last year.

The sale was conducted by Elders with Scott Fleetwood of Elders, Jamestown, taking bids.