Buyers Advance SE sale |
Local buyers dug deep at Ridgway Advance Poll Merino Stud's Annual Ram Sale on Wednesday 16th August at Bordertown, pushing the average up $705 on 2016's result.
In the main auction 95 of 100 rams averaged $2414, while another 30 of 48 sold in the mini auction for a $1150. Total over all average 125 rams for $2110.
Lot 13 proved lucky for vendors David and Karen and Devon Ridgway, making the $6800 top price.
The successful buyers were David and Brent Farr, Loxton, who regularly are among the top prices at the Lameroo off-shears sales with their surplus young ewes.
They were impressed by the 17.4 micron son of Ridgway Advance 288 for its well nourished wool but also size and carcase merit.
The May 2016 drop sale topper weighed 112 kilograms with an eye muscle depth of 44 millimetres and fat depth of 5mm.
The 52 registered bidders- 10 more than last year- included a strong interstate contingent from
NSW and Vic.
Long-time buyers Gerald and Kingsley Woidt, Woidt Family Farms, Coomandook, who recently won the Elders SA Clip of the Year, secured the second and third highest priced rams at $5000 and $4800.
VN Rathjen & Sons, Birdwood, was the volume buyer with 16 rams averaging $2356, including three rams at $3000 each.
Bill Walker, Classings Limited, Murray Bridge, followed the sale closely securing 13 rams for five different clients.
RG Brown & Son, Wolseley, secured six rams to $2600 for a $2300 average.
Leading the interstate buying was G & K Turner, Wagga Wagga, NSW, who put together eight rams for a $2175 average.
Despite the significant lift in average there was some great buying throughout the sale, especially among the seven spring 2016 drops
Stud principal David Ridgway described it as a “ good solid sale”.
“There were strong patches throughout the sale as buyers found the sheep (they wanted),” he said.
There were a lot who knew what to expect from the sheep and are feeling good about the results they have been getting."
Mr Ridgway said their focus on breeding a balanced Poll Merino was unwavering with the figures showing their continual progress.
“We have always been about increasing production of meat and wool without losing fertility,” he said.
“Fertility is number one but our eye muscle depths are consistently in the mid 40 (mm).”
Landmark auctioneers Leo Redden and Richard Miller were full of praise for the evenness and dual-purpose attributes of the Ridgway Advance offering.
“They are easy care, high impact rams with carcases that just meet the demands of today,” Mr Redden said.
“It is all about the rump and loin and for eating quality the measurements around fat and eye muscle will be good attributes to hold through the ewe flock.”
Mr Miller said Ridgway Advance’s clients were being financially rewarded in two areas, carcase weight and wool cutting ability.
“And it is one of the more attractive, crimpy wools we see in the state,” he said.
Mr Redden said while the top price and average had increased there was some “genuine value buying” in the first 40 sheep.
“From there it was fair market price,” he said.
Next month Ridgway Advance has two top sire prospects reserved for the Adelaide Merino ram sale and 22 rams for the Classings Classic sale. report writtten by C. Miller
