THE third on-property and 22nd top of the drop ram sale was held at the Sweeney family's Bindaree and Nundoone Border Leicester studs at Mendooran to a large gallery of new and return buyers finding a very even draft of rams.
Offering six stud rams and 100 flock rams saw four of the six stud rams sell to a top of $5000 to average at $4250 and 71 of the 100 flock rams sell to $3000 and average at $1379 at auction, giving a total sale average of $1532.
The top selling ram was the 100 kilogram Bindaree B190132, a half brother to B180010 who was the 2019 Australian Sheep and Wool Show supreme Border Leicester exhibit at Bendigo and sold for $16,500 last year.
Sired by one their 2014 winning rams who won junior champion ram at Bendigo he has come from solid prize winning stock.
"As there has been no shows on we have not shown this ram so far." Nundoone principal Rowena Sweeney said.
He was sold to the same buyer as last years top, Ben O'Brien who operates a commercial enterprise and KJC Border Leicester stud at Wellington.
"We have been buying these rams for the past few years and we are following the same traits." Mr O'Brien said.
"They are giving us plenty of length of body, we are very happy with them.
"I particularly like the fist ram, he is the half brother of the ram I purchased last year and was very pleased with him."
Top priced flock ram, Bindaree B190084, was sold to Barry Harper, Cadell Stud from Ariah Park for $3000.
He also took another flock ram home for a draft average of $4600.
Volume buyer, purchasing nine flock rams was long term repeat buyers Henry & Kristy Taylor, Warrambone, Gulargambone for a draft average of $1555.
"These rams have great consistency, good frame, they are structurally good in their feet, good clean heads and wool."
"I was able to get a few that I wanted and some I missed out on. I am very happy with my selection."
Bindaree Co-Principal Reg Sweeney felt it was a great sale and was better than what was thought it would be.
"The rams sold well, we might not have had the clearance but with the ewe numbers still down so that was to be expected.
"We have had a lot of enquiries through the drought and now with the season getting better we are getting good interest.
The sale was conducted by Milling Stuart, Dunedoo with Angus Stuart controlling the bids.