Local buyers supported the Salway maternal composite sale, Walcha, held online on January 25, reaching a top of $2900, with early growth attributes being high on their agendas.
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The top-priced ram Salway 220109, was at the back of the catalogue, purchased by Glen Collin Pastoral Company, Walcha.
It recorded Australian Sheep Breeding Values (ASBVs) in the top five per cent of the breed for weaning-weight (WWT), post weaning-weight (PWWT) and an eye muscle depth (EMD) with figures of +11.24, +16.83 and +2.80, respectively.
The August drop, triplet-born ram also displayed a post-weaning fecal egg count value of -61.59, placing him in the top 20pc. He also ranking in the top five pc for maternal carcase production plus (MCP+) with a figure of +181.26.
The pastoral company also purchased the second top-priced ram in the draft, Salway 220244, for $2700.
Also an August drop, triplet-born ram, it displayed a WWT of +11.67, PWWT of +17.33 and a MCP+ of +178.19, all placing within the top 5pc of the breed.
By Salway 192440A, the ram also ranked in the top 10pc for scrotal circumference (PSC) with a value of +5.16 and yearling weaning rate (YWR) of +0.58.
The company purchased an additional four rams with an average of $1583.
Dalara Pastoral Operations Pty Ltd purchased the two equal third top-priced rams, Salway 220311 and Salway 22037, for $2600 each.
Salway 220311 had a PSC figure in the top 5pc at +7.48. His growth figures in the top 10pc of the breed with a WWT figure of +10.41 and a PWWT of +15.63.
He displayed a MCP+ of 167.13, along with a PFEC figure of -61.09 and a maternal weaning-weight figure of 1.09.
The second ram, Salway 220327, a twin-born ram, ranked in the top 10pc of the breed for WWT and PWWT, with values of +10.32 and +15.62, respectively.
Dalara Pastoral also purchased another eight rams to average $1370.
Salway Maternal Composite stud principal Rob Mulligan said he was happy to see repeat clients supporting the sale.
"I still believe in what we're doing and very optimistic about the lamb market and sheep market," Mr Mulligan said.
"It just shows with the Composite game the figures do sell the rams, because they were the higher indexing rams that sold well.
"We have a customised Salway index and we created that index to breed sheep to suit our environment in a grass operation."
"We're concentrating more on condition score, fat cover and carcase in them, while keeping high fertility."
Of the 91 rams offered, 39 sold to average $1164.
Nutrien Ag Solutions Boultons Walcha conducted the sale and AuctionsPlus provided the online platform.
