Return clients of the Bauer Border Leicester stud, Ariah Park, turned out in force to support the eight annual ram sale for Jamie and Tracey Buerckner.
Their offering of 120 yearling rams attracted a lot of attention and with the current demand for breeding stock, it was not surprising breeders of first-cross ewes pushed the sale average to $3080, with a top price of $5800.
Born a twin, the top priced ram caught the attention of Blantyre Farms, Young, for his structural correctness along with an impressive data set.
"He is an extremely well carcased ram currently weighing 115 kgs," Jamie Buerckner said.
"He is a son from the well regarded sire Dusty and scanned the highest eye muscle from our selected rams with an EMA of 39.62."
Another young ram born a twin also attracted interest for his conformation and set of figures before being snapped up by Talbragar Borders, Leadville, for $3800.
Mr Buerckner described the structurally correct ram weighing 115 kgs, with a beautiful even fleece, with positive fat cover and an eye muscle area of 35.42.
Other excellent returns for rams included $5000 paid by TJ and MJ and C Rhodes, Mulwala, while GJ and DA Turnbull, Dumosa, Victoria, purchased two rams at $5000 and $4200 apiece and O'Dwyer Farming, Ariah Park, selected a draft of four new sires to a top price of $4000 and average of $3952.
Other first-cross ewe breeders buying at the top of the catalogue included long time supporter of the Bauer genetic program, Eric Maguire, Ariah Park, who added six sires to a top of $4400 and average price of $4200: Pleasant View Pastoral Co., Binda, bought three rams to a top of $4800 and average price of $4532 while Morray Pty Ltd, Yerong Creek, selected a draft seven rams to a top of $4400 and average price of $4219.
Significant drafts were purchased by Ogden Pastoral, Lake Cargelligo, who paid average price of $2593 for their 19 rams: TM and D Walker, Ariah Park, bought seven rams for average price of $2629 and DG Tulloch, West Wyalong, took home six rams for average price of $3906.
The Coolamatong Partnership, Berridale, made the choice in selecting four new sires for $3692 average price.
"We were exceptionally pleased with the results of the sale," Mr Buerckner said.
"There was very good competition on the top end rams but we were still able to provide enough rams to cater for all budgets. We are very appreciative of the committed support from breeders of specialised first cross operations and the confidence of where the first cross ewe fits in the industry."
The sale was listed on the AuctionsPlus platform and was settled by Nutrien Ag Solutions, Wagga Wagga.
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