ONE Hundred rams selling to four states and topping at $7500, averaged what is believed to be a Dohne on-property sale Australian record of $3115 at the 38th annual Gullendah Dohne ram sale at Baldry on Tuesday, $1032 up on last year.
As well, 39 Poll Merino rams topped at $4000 twice and averaged $2096. In total, 139 rams averaged $2829.
The Hughes family's mission statement -to produce consistent, productive sheep of outstanding quality that increase our clients' profitability - rings true to many sheep breeders who return year-in-year-out for replacement sires for their studs and commercial flocks.
This year was no exception with many returning clients taking home their selected drafts.
Dohne
Darren Gurnett and Michelle Sutcliffe, Gunyado Dohne stud, Kerang, Victoria, paid the $7500 top price for a March shorn twin son of GD175353 showing an index value of 145.4.
Returning to purchase two rams including the $5000 equal second top was Peter Conn, Kombyana Dohnes, Hillview, Wellington, who also paid $3750 for another. The duo's top was a son of GD163858 showing an index if 150.3.
Rob Christie, Roseneath, Yeoval, paid the other $5000 for for another son of GD163858 by the top breeding ram GD141860. This ram had an index of 147.1
Buying three rams for a $4250 average was regular buyer Brenda Station, Goodooga, who paid up to $4500.
Leon Kohlhagen and family, Lovely Pines, Walla Walla, returned and purchased five rams topping at $4500 and averaging $3450.
Chris Clonan, Alfoxton, Armidale, paid $4500 for a high index ram.
Grant and Liz Masters, and son Scott, Fernleigh, Spicers Creek, near Wellington, returned for four rams averaging $3063 and topping at $4000.
David Suttor, Brucedale, Bathurst, another return buyer was able to keep the majority of his ewes during the drought and is running 3000 of 18 to 19 micron. He said because lambs were worth good money in the drought, he was able to keep his breeding core.
He bought six rams for a $2625 average, topping at $3750.
Hamish Wald, Banar, Condobolin, returned to pay an average of $2458 for six rams topping at $3500.
The Bayles Brothers, Chanak, Cressy, Tasmania, also returning buyers bought four rams to $3000 to average $2625.
Perola Park Pastoral headed by Mac Drysdale, Augathella, Qld, purchased 11 Dohne rams for a $3295 average and topping at $4250.
Another Queensland breeder returning this year, John Milne, Loongana Pastoral Company, Longreach, paid an average of $1385 for 13 rams split up with five Dohnes averaging $1600 and eight Poll Merino rams to $2000 averaging $1250.
Poll Merinos
Two Poll Merino rams sold for a top at $4000 with Philip Dodds and son Edward, Oaklands, Cumnock, returning for their second year after rams purchased last year had performed very well producing quality lambs.
In this year's buys the Dodds bought four rams for a $3000 average. The top ram was an April/May 2019 drop, march shorn growing 19.3 micron wool.
Another returning buyer, John Bullock of Fraddon Hills, Wellington, paid the other equal top $4000 among three rams averaging $3333. His draft topper was growing 18 micron wool.
Neil Robertson and family, Rossbridge, Vic, bought five rams paying to $3250 and a $2350 average for five rams, while the Vaughan family, Obley, purchased three rams for a $1500 average.
The sale was conducted by Nutrien Wilson Russ, Warren, with Paul Dooley, Tamworth, guest auctioneer.
