THE Sweeney family of Bindaree and Nundoone Border Leicester studs have fetched what is believed to be a new NSW auction record for the breed today.
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The 2019 Australian Sheep and Wool Show supreme Border Leicester exhibit at Bendigo was sold for $16,500 to Wellington buyer Ben O'Brien during their second on-property sale today.
Australian Border Leicester Association president Jeff Sutton said he understood the price was a state record.
It was just $1800 off the national record held by Coolawang Border Leicester stud, Mundulla West, since October 2013 with a ram hitting $18,200.
"We would like to congratulate the family given the very tough years they have had feeding their stock," he said.
"It is great news for them."
Purchaser Ben O'Brien operates a commercial enterprise and KJC Border Leicester stud at Wellington believed that the awards proved that he was worth the money.
"I hope he will bring size to my flock," he said.
"I have been buying from these studs for about six or seven years now and I like the style of the rams.
"I also was able to secure another ram and am very happy with my purchases."
In July this year, the then 106 kilograms ram with an eye muscle depth of 40mm, took the breed's top honours at the 2019 Australian Sheep and Wool Show under judge Malcolm Starritt, Womboota stud.
The ram first won the woolly ram under 1.5 year old class.
"He is a lovely, free moving ram, only young but he is just flying at the moment and beautifully presented and alert," Mr Starritt said.
Its sire was the junior champion Border Leicester ram at the ASWS about four years ago.
The Sweeney's ram edged out the champion ewe from Vicorian breeder Will Schilling, Glenlee Park stud, Gerang Gerung.
In the sale ring, 67 of 105 rams were cleared to an auction average of $1431.
Nundoone principal Rowena Sweeney was very pleased with the overall sale.
"We were not expecting the clearance or the prices. It was very good," she said.
"The stud ram that did well at Bendigo was the highlight of the sale," added Reg Sweeney, co-principal of Bindaree.
"The underbidders came all the way from Naracoorte, South Australia, though they were able to secure two other rams."
Volume bidder Angus Munro purchased on behalf of Pisasale Farms, Deniliquin who were first time purchasers for the stud.
They purchased 10 rams for a draft average of $900.
"He is focusing on carcase and rams to use for first and second crosses," Mr Munro said.
"He is looking for good type of rams."
Auctioneer Angus Stuart of Milling Stuart felt the clearance was good considering the seasonal conditions and the lack of local and western sheep numbers.
"It is a great credit to the Sweeneys, they presented their sheep well," he said.
"It goes to show what they are doing is working."
The sale was conducted by Milling Stuart, Dunedoo.
