Some buyers were probably looking for more lots at the ninth annual NSW combined Wiltipoll breeders sale at Gulgong last Saturday.
Four NSW studs offered drafts at the sale which achieved a total clearance of 17 stud rams and 37 stud and commercial ewes for a total gross of $38,925.
Ian Hopwood and Loris Denyer, Reavesdale stud, Murringo, topped the ram catalogue with a high of $2100 twice.
The first sale topper went to Marty Beckett, “Thornleigh”, Maules Creek, for an 18-month-old son of Reavesdale 205 out of Wello 110.
Mr Beckett said he liked the young sire’s rib fat and eye muscle measurements and his weight for age.
The second sale topper was bought by David and Jo Blewitt, Rylstone.
The Blewitts bought the ram, by Munna 1391 from Reavesdale 130, to start a stud.
Bidding by phone, Gavin and Linda Schmetzer, Walgett, bought two Reavesdale stud rams, paying a top of $2000.
Both Mr Beckett and the Blewitts also waded into the stud ewe draft.
Mr Beckett picked up four ewes to a top of $500 for a lot offered by Coralie and Damien Moss and Allan and Nicolette Moss, Ironbark stud, Tamworth.
She was sired by Wonoka Red 6618 from Ironbark Yellow 8.
He bought two other ewes from Ironbark for $400 each and one from the draft of Ian and Ann Whittle, Spring Valley stud, Cowra, for $425.
The Blewitts were keen on stud ewes offered by Peter and Judy Colless, Carthona stud, Wingham, picking up three to a top of $700.
The Carthona ewes were in keen demand with Julie Huie, Wisemans Creek, also snapping up two to a top of $700.
The Carthona rams topped at $1850, part of draft of three rams and six ewes put together by volume buyer, Greg Canny, Wangaratta, Vic.
Mr Canny paid a top of $1950 for a Reavesdale stud ram by Munna 1391 from Reavesdale 169. He also took a shine to Spring Valley stud ewes taking home six to a top of $425.
Lance Hodges, Narrabri, snapped up five rams to a top of $1050 twice for young sires from Spring Valley stud.
John Blackburn, Mt David, bought 10 commercial ewes in the Reavesdale stud’s draft to a top of $440 and an average $364 each.
Spring Valley also offered eight commercial ewes which topped at $410 each for a pen of two bought by Greg Canny.
All prices were ex-GST.
Last year’s combined Wiltipoll breeders sale at Gulgong topped at $1475 when eight vendors offered 30 rams and 40 ewes.
This year’s sale was conducted by McDonald Lawson, Mudgee, with Andy Carter wielding the gavel.
Vernon Graham
Former editor of The Land, former Fairfax Media Agricultural Editor
Former editor of The Land, former Fairfax Media Agricultural Editor
