Another outstanding quality line-up of 83 PTIL White Suffolk ewes was penned for buyer competition at the Pipkorn family’s ninth biannual ewe sale last Tuesday at Jeparit, Victoria.
The quality on offer was duly recognised by 20 registered buyers in the sale shed, plus further competition on Auctions Plus, especially on the top end. Overall 68 ewes went to new homes in four states, plus the USA and selling to a new Detpa Grove ewe record price of $3600, which was achieved twice.
The sale average was $957 which was 66 per cent higher than the last sale in 2015.
Clive, Deb and Caitlin Shillabeer, Wingamin stud, Karoonda, SA were the ones to come out on the right side of the ledger in bidding on both the ewes to make $3600 in this sale.
The first ewe, DG 130167ET and sired by Wingamin 112462 was offered in the four star ‘pick of the pair’ lots that commenced the sale. The winning bidder takes their pick of two ewes from the very top echelon of this elite stud, with the other going back into the Detpa Grove flock. This ewe was mated to the new $68,000 breed record holder, Anden Cruiser 150277Tw and was purchased by Wingamin in partnership with Gary Heilig, Prestige Farm, Montana, USA. Gary Heilig first purchased from Detpa Grove in 2007 when he paid $3300, and then paid $3000 and $2200 at the last sale in 2015.
The second $3600 ewe was DG 150803Triplet and sired by triplet sire DG 130583, lotted mid-catalogue. It was also mated to Anden Cruiser 150277Tw, with multiples right through its breeding and being scanned to have at least twins this lambing. The Shillabeers purchased this one on their own account.
Underbidder on both ewes was Will Peck, Bayview Downs stud, Padthaway, SA. He was later successful on four ewes, paying to $1600 and averaging $1225. His top purchase was DG 120533Triplet, the dam of a $13,000 stud ram for Detpa Grove. All four of Will’s purchases were PTIL to Anden Cruiser.
Ewes mated to the $68,000 Cruiser were an obvious attraction, which was unsurprising. The 15 in this catalogue averaged $1460; 52pc above the overall sale average.
The biggest volume buyer was Stuart McLeod, Nagambie, Vic. He purchased 13 ewes to a top of $800 and at a great value $631.
Aaron Zwar operated the Auctions Plus network and had two prominent buyers amongst the bidders on this network. Elders Kingscote, SA averaged $775 for four purchases, paying to $1100, but it was Will Milroy, Rangeview stud, Pipers River, Tasmania who was the sale’s equal second top volume buyer. He purchased seven ewes, paying to $2600 and averaged $1271.
His top ewe was DG 140310 by the outstanding sire DG Riccochet 130066Tw and was mated to Anden 140293. He also purchased his pick ewe from the lot one pair, DG 150071 for $2000.
Trevor Roberts and buying through Elders Echuca’s Matt O’Connor also purchased seven ewes, but at the real value side of the sale, paying to $800 and averaging just $600.
Tim Jorgensen, Mertex stud, Antwerp, Vic was very selective in bidding on the very top ewes and was successful in purchasing five to $2000 and at a $1040 average. His top priced purchase was a rising six year old ewe, DG 110115Tw and mated to ‘Cruiser’.
Ian Pfeiffer purchased three top ewes to $1300 and at a $1000 average for the Grossman family, Koonawarra stud, Angaston, SA.
Ben Prentice, Kurralea stud, Ariah Park, introduced four states into the buying mix when he picked up two outstanding ewes for just $900 and $800.
Detpa Grove principal David Pipkorn was pleased with the overall result.
“The sale was solid and we were naturally very happy with the top end, but it was also good to see both new and repeat clients still able to get quality at value,” he said.
Agents were Elders Wycheproof with Ross Milne the auctioneer.
