THE 13th annual NSW Border Leicester show and sale was held last week.
Eighteen rams were presented to the judge, Murray Brown, from Glamis Border Leicester stud at Bedgerebong.
The champion ram was shown by Jamie Buerckner, Bauer Border Leicester stud, Ariah Park.
Second place went to Reg, Robyn and Rowena Sweeney, Merrygoen.
Third place to Ian and Kerry Cameron, Nundoone Parke, Narromine.
Fourth to Jamie Buerckner, Bauer Border Leicester stud, Ariah Park.
Fifth to Tom Corkhill, Normanhurst, Boorowa.
Mr Brown found that there was a tremendous line up of quality rams.
“They are some of the best rams from each stud so it’s a credit to all of the exhibitors,” he said.
“I was concentrating on the type of wool that I like.
“They were good balanced sheep with plenty of positive attributes so people can take them home to their studs and improve what they have.
“The champion ram had good overall length and had a lot of scale.
“He has a good type of fleece and good coverage of wool.
“I appreciated the overall balance of the ram and he had a great top line.”
Border Sale
Of the 18 stud rams offered eight sold to a top of $4250 and an average of $1373.
Ian and Kerry Cameron offered three rams claiming the top price, selling two and averaged $2250.
KJC Border Leicester stud, Wellington, owned and operated by Ben and Kellee O’Brien, "Glencardie", Suntop, run a commercial flock of about 400 Border Leicesters and they also join about 15000 merinos.
They purchased the 107.5 kilogram ram, who was a twin, the son of Bindaree 119.12 who holds an eye muscle depth (EMD) of 43 millimetres and a fat depth (FD) of eight mm.
Mr O’Brien liked how solid he was and the fact that he had plenty of body.
He came to buy two rams but ended up with three.
They also purchased another two rams for an average of $3415.
Second top price of $4000 was secured twice.
The first of these was the second placegetter in the show, a 113kg Bindaree bred twin, sired by Bindaree 123/2012, was purchased by Mr O’Brien.
The other was sold by Dugald McIndoe, Smithson Border Leicesters, and was purchased by Graham Golder, “Avondale”, Temora.
Closely followed in price at $3500 was a ram from the Bradley family from New Armatree stud who was purchased by Boomi Pastoral Company, Albert.
Next high was equalled at $2500 for rams owned by Bindaree and Nundoone studs.
They were both purchased by the Irving family from “Toucan”, Warren.
Two other Bauer stud rams were purchased for $2000.
One by the Thomas family and the other to KJC Border Leicester stud.
NSW Border Leicester president, Des Campbell, said it was an excellent line up of rams.
“One of the best I’ve seen,” he said.
“The rams presented very well for the harsh dry conditions we have found ourselves in.
“The sale didn’t reach the heights of last year but was still strong. We had more registered bidders than previous years.”
The sale was conducted by Elders Dubbo with Paul Jameson manning the rostrum.