THE 5th annual Tattykeel Australian White sale was held at the Gilmore family home at Black Springs recently.
A large crowd of prospective buyers from as far as New Zealand, Western Australia and more local bidders gathered to view the very even selection of rams and ewes.
In an emotional opening speech, stud principal, Graham Gilmore, spoke fondly of his brother Martin, reminding everyone that without Martin’s input Tattykeel would not be what it is today.
On offer were 20 stud rams, 84 flock rams, 60 stud ewes and nine ewes with lambs. A clearance of 100 per cent of stud, flock rams and ewes with lambs and a 99pc clearance of the stud ewes.
A top price of $28,000 was achieved for the stud rams and in what is believed to be a record for a meat sheep breed auction, an average of $11,150 was made.
Three stud rams went for greater than $20,000 and another six made over $10,000.
Flock rams topped at $4000 averaging $2565.
Stud ewes topped at $3600 twice and averaged at $1944 while the ewes with lambs at foot topped at $2800 with an average of $2111.
Tattykeel 170704, sired by 160107, won first in the August drop Australian White ram class at the NSW Sheep Show, Dubbo. Its sire was Sydney Royal champion in 2017 and has been used heavily in the stud.
It will be transported to New Zealand with three other rams.
Murray Sargent, Kaahu Studs, Taupo, NZ, who purchased four rams including the top and third top-priced rams was looking for better survival, temperaments and growth rates for his newly formed Wiltipol and long-standing Coopworth studs.
“My focus is to breed sheep with lower inputs but high outputs with good carcase and good eating.” he said.
“Tattykeel have done a really good job creating this breed.
“I am impressed with the structure and how they have line bred good type sheep. We will take them home and see how they handle our conditions.”
Mr Sargent’s draft of four averaged at $17,750.
The second top-priced ram went for $27,000. Tattykeel 171354 will move to Gamadale Australian Whites at Lascelles, Victoria.
The Gamadale stud also purchased a full brother to 160488 who was the NSW Sheep Show champion in 2017 for $14,000.
Timor studs and Camden Valley Australian Whites purchased Tattykeel 171511 for $19,000. Touted by Tattykeel as a very strong October drop ram.
Its sire, 161072 was sold to Kahmoo Australian White stud for $11,000 while its dam 151457 was a twin. The 171511 ram will share duties between the studs.
Of the stud ewes, a top price of $3600 was achieved twice both to the same purchaser.
Jack Newham, Orange, runs about 50 ewes currently, and has previously purchased both rams and ewes from this stud over the last four years.
“I was looking at the type and pedigree and who they are mated to, both are pregnancy tested with twins.” he said.
“I have been trying to buy a couple every year to get a nice flock of ewes.
“I like the breed, they have a lot to offer with their low maintenance.”
Stud ewe volume buyer was the Doelle family from Edenhope, Victoria. who purchased 22 ewes to an average of $2423.
They also purchased a ram for $9000.
Also a solid purchaser, Tullamore Holdings from Western Australia, secured 11 stud ewes for a draft average of $1500.
Flock rams sold well with the top-priced ram heading to Tophill Holdings in Western Australia.
They also purchased a stud ram for $4500.
An undisclosed buyer was the volume purchaser of flock rams collecting a hefty draft of 28 for an average of $2296.
Stud principal, Graham Gilmore, thought it was an amazing sale in dry conditions
“It was wonderful to see the sheep sold as far away as New Zealand and Western Australia,” he said.
“Whilst we are in drought conditions, these sheep are doing well and producing lambs and they are doing it easier that other sheep or cattle breeds.
“Our sale was a reflection on that.”
The sale was conducted by Landmark Bathurst with Miles Pfitzner, Adelaide, South Australia as guest auctioneer.
