The Pye family sold all 83 rams offered from their Uardry, Calga and DD Dohne studs at their seventh southern production sale at Caroonboon, Wanganella on Thursday.
The overall average was $2783 with a top price of $4750 for a DD Dohne ram purchased by the Holt family of Coonong Station, Urana.
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Stud principal Margie Pye said they were extremely pleased with the results of their final sale for the year, with 156 rams sold over their two sales to an average $2,617.30.
Ms Pye said they have been focusing more on ASBVs in recent years, along with keeping conformation and visuals in check. The Coonamble sale rams average Dohne Plus index was 172 and the Wanganella average was 157.
"Good prices and total clearance of rams shows the immense confidence in the sheep industry at the moment after an extremely tough few years," Ms Pye said.
Broken down 34 rams from DD Dohne averaged $2691, 36 from Uardry sold for an average of $2826 and top of $4250 and 13 were offered from their Calga bloodline, selling for an average of $2904 and top of $3500.
The top priced DD Dohne ram was by DJ140425, with a weaning weight (WWT) of 1.8 and post weaning weight (PWWT) of 3.0 with positive fat (0.4) and muscle (0.9) values. He also had a number of lambs weaned (NLW) of eight per cent and 158.8 on the Dohne Plus Index.
The ram was one of five DD Dohnes purchased by the Holt family. Mr Holt said they had been chasing the DD bloodline for some time.
"We're looking for that very dual purpose line of sheep, chasing those long staple white wool as well as fertility, we know the DDs are really fertile," Mr Holt said.
Two Uardry rams sold for $4250, the first had a yearling fleece weight (YCFW) of 15.3 and PWWT of 5.7. He sold to Bultara Dohne, Bunnaloo.
The second was purchased by AN and MA Boatman, Rhodenvale, Crowlands,Vic, he showed off a large YCFW of 19.
In the Calga section, two rams sold for $3500, the first had one of the highest Dohne Plus Index values in the draft at 182.2 and was bought by M and D Eddy, Mathoura. The second stood out for his YCFW of 25.1 and went to W and P Caldow, Edenhope, Vic.
Yurdyilla Pty Ltd, Hay were volume buyers on the day, purchasing 19 rams, including six DDs, two from Calga and 11 Uardry rams.
The sale was conducted by Elders and Nutrien with Matt Tinkler and Peter Godbolt auctioneers.
- Full report in next week's edition of The Land
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