An excellent line of Dohne rams were presented by the Pye family during their fifth southern production sale held at Caroonboon, Wanganella.
Representing the Calga, Uardry and DD Dohne studs, Margie, Sandy and Georgie Pye were on hand when 120 rams were penned with a top price of $3400 realised from the 107 rams sold, to average $1708.
The top-priced ram was selected from the Uardry draft by Bruce Black, Kilburnie, Rankins Springs, who was advised by Albury-based sheep consultant, Bill Mildren.
The April-2017 drop ram impressed with figures of 0.6 for PEMD, PFAT of 0.0 and Plus Index 174.7.
Returning to Caroonboon for the fourth time, Mr Black has been purchasing Uardry Dohne bloodlines for the past fifteen years and has established a self-replacing Dohne flock on his mixed-farming operation.
“We are getting better lambs with our Dohne rams and getting quicker returns from our wether lambs,” Mr Black said.
Mr Black feedlots his Dohne progeny and has found the wethers finish quickly on feed.
“I also like the heavy cutting sheep, not too fine and I thought the ram was the second biggest ram in the offering,” he said.
Mr Black, who bought a second ram for $2800, and has recently sold 380 one and half year ewes, month off-shears at West Wyalong sale for $248.
Volume buyers included Coonong Pastoral Co, Urana, who took 14 rams home for top price of $2800 and average of $1893, M.D and M.J Winning, Mona Station, Bollon, Queensland, put a draft of 11 rams together for an average of $1772 and Mawallok, Stockyard Hill, Victoria, selected 10 rams to a top of $2500 and average of $1670.
Calgara Station Pty Ltd, Tintinara, SA, purchased four rams to $2800, W and P Caldow, Edenhope, Victoria, selected four rams to top at $3200 and I and B Arnold, Berrigan added to their sire battery with two rams at $3200 and $3000.
Barnadown Dohnes, Epsom via Bendigo, Vic, selected two rams for their enterprise at $3000 and $2200 in their draft of three, while Billabong Pastoral purchased nine rams for an $866 average price and Cathcart Nominees Pty Ltd, Denilquin, bought six rams for $1317 average price.
Speaking after the sale, stud co-principal Sandy Pye expressed his delight with the results, noting the return buyers who continued to purchase significant drafts.
“This is our best offering yet, everything is positive and people have faith in the sheep industry and with our genetic direction,” he said.
The sale was conducted by Elders and Landmark, with Ron Rutledge and Tim Woodham taking the bids.