DOHNE rams were in demand with all 110 head clearing at auction to a $4500 top price and a $2373 average at the 36th annual Gullendah on-property sale at Baldry last Tuesday, going to Tasmania, Victoria, Queensland and NSW.
As well, 37 of 40 Merino and Poll Merino rams sold to $3750 and averaged $1446 with 21 Poll Merino rams making the top money to average $1571 and 16 Merino rams selling to $2000 and average $1281.
The strength of Gullendah Dohne genetics stands out year-after-year as commercial flock breeders continue to return for the large-framed, well muscled rams growing crimpy stylish white wool bred by the partnership of Peter and Margot Hughes and son, Andrew and Kate Hughes in the Baldry district.
The long-term Dohne flock adult average micron is 19.6 while the Merino and Poll Merino flocks average 19.8 micron.
Andrew Hughes said he was extremely pleased with the number of new clients and thanked the return clients for their continued support.
“It is great to see our genetics are performing across diverse environmental conditions around the country”, he said.
“It is a great time to be in the sheep industry with wool and meat prices at record levels and there is plenty of upside moving forward.”
DOHNES
Among returning buyers was the Conn family of Peter and sons, Tim and Jason, Kombyana Dohnes, Hillview, Wellington, who paid the $4500 top price for a ram with high estimated breeding values including yearling weight (YWT) of +5.8 and clean fleece weight (CFW) of +12.4.
The Conn family have been long-time buyers of Gullendah genetics paying $10,000 second top price for a ram at the 2016 National Dohne Ram Sale during the Global Dohne Conference at Dubbo, and several other rams in previous years for their 250 elite ewe ram-breeding flock producing sires for the 3200 ewe commercial flock of 19 micron.
Peter Conn said they were looking for a ram that would continue to increase the wool-cut of the Hillview flock.
“We wanted a heavier cutting type and this ram stood out in cut quantity,” he said.
“This ram stands well and is growing well-nourished wool with a well defined crimp.”
Twelve rams were purchased this year by long-standing clients, Brenda Station, Goodooga, whose manager, Peter McSwan, selected for the Reynolds family’s large flock. The dozen included three rams which made $4000 each while the draft averaged $3375.
Another multi-lot buyer, Guy Robertson of FMC Ag, Karinga, Hamilton Victoria, returned and secured 17 rams while paying to $4000 and a $2529 average. The enterprise runs 13,500 ewes including 5000 Dohnes with a flock average of 18.6 to 19 micron and five kilogram average wool cuts.
Mr Robertson said the company keeps returning to Gullendah because of wool quality and constitution.
“We are chasing muscling and doing ability and these rams give more stretch and survival in tough times,” he said.
Three rams to $3500 and averaging $3167 were bought by Fragar Partnership, Talgong, Tottenham, who are regular buyers while the Cotton family, Moolahway, Manildra returned and bought two rams topping at $3500 and averaging $3250.
Mac Drysdale of Perola Park Pastoral, Augathella, Qld, paid to $3500 and a $2500 average for nine rams while Grant and Liz Masters and family of Fernleigh Partnership, Fernleigh, Spicers Creek near Wellington, also regular buyers, returned to pay up to $3500 and a $2333 average for six rams.
Trevor and Jane Coady run a Merino and a Dohne flock at Carinya, Yeoval, and returned to purchase four Dohne rams paying to $3000 twice and a $2625 average, plus two Poll Merino rams to $3000 and $2125 average.
David Suttor, Brucedale, Bathurst returned to pay a $2500 average for six rams, while Hamish Wald and family, Banar, Condobolin, returned and secured seven rams to $3000 and $2286 average.
MERINOS
Long-time ram buyers Neil Robertson and family, Rossbridge, Vic, paid the top Poll Merino money of $3750 for a 16.1 micron ram among a draft of seven poll rams averaging $1929.
Mr Robertson is the son-in-law of long-time buyer Colin Holmes, Cedar Park, Willaura, Vic, and now runs both flocks together at 19 micron average and 6kg wool cuts.
Tasmanian return buyers, Bayles Brothers, Chanak, Cressy, bought four Poll Merino rams while paying to $1750 and an average of $1438. The brothers also bought five Dohne rams topping at $2500 and averaging $1700.
Nick Knowles, Lechidale Partnership, Argyle, Wellington, returned to buy seven Merino rams, paying up to $2000 twice and a $1429 average. The Lechidale flock grows an average 20 micron and cuts 8kg-plus wool and achieved 100 per cent lambing last year.
Another long-time client, Paul Vernon, Gunners Dam, Wellington, bought four Poll Merino rams to $1500 averaging $1188.
The sale was conducted by Landmark Wilson Russ, Warren, with Paul Dooley, Tamworth, returning as guest auctioneer.