Confidence is high in the time-tested first-cross ewe, it seems, given the red hot prices for Border Leicester rams at New Armatree’s ram sale.
Held at Jenny and Craig Bradley’s property, “New Armatree”, at Armatree near Gilgandra, all 90 rams offered were sold to top at $3500, twice, and average of $2676.
Buyers’ comments about the depth of quality right through the sale were qualified when the last lot was knocked down for $3300.
Top-priced ram buyer, Brian Plummer, “Trigoona”, Tottenham, was targeting a combination of good post weaning weight, and a good Border Index figure, while also not compromising on structure, especially feet and legs.
Mr Plummer, who bought nine rams to average $2711, joins about 4500 Well Gully-blood Merino ewes to Border Leicester rams to produce first-cross lambs.
Also buying at $3500 was Tony Smith, “Broadwater”, Warren, who took one ram for the equal top price.
Volume buyer, Henry Taylor, “Warrambone”, Gulargambone, bought 19 rams to a top of $3000 and average of $2621.
He will join these to 2500 Egelabra-blood ewes, the ewe progeny of which will likely be sold from the farm, or otherwise through Narromine saleyards.
Peter Barber, “Currawonga”, Narromine, and his brother, Luke, L.A. Barber Trust, “Gilgai”, Narromine, were also buying. Peter took home 15 rams at a top of $3000 to average $2640, while Luke took nine, to a top of $3300 to average $2922.
Will Burnheim, “Sandy Camp”, Quambone, dropped in to top up his ram battery, buying one for $3200.
He joined 2700 ewes to Border Leicesters last year and sells the ewes either on AuctionsPlus or direct to the buyer, and the wethers through Thomas Foods international.
The sale was conducted by Halcroft and Bennett, Coonamble and Gulargambone, with agent David Thompson as auctioneer and Steve Colwell helping spot the bids.
