The barn was full and bidders were keen at Paxton’s on-property ram sale last week, where a ram made a record figure for the stud.
Held at the Harvey family’s Western Flat property, the sale saw spirited bidding right throughout the catalogue, with a top price of $12,500 reached in just the second lot.
With 30 extra rams in the sale this year from last year, the stud also cleared 175 from 180 on offer to a total average of $3013.
Zoe, Lilly, Will and Martin Harvey with Lot 2, the top price Border Leicester ram, which was sold to Tallageira Pastoral, Frances, for $12,500. Picture by Katie Jackson.
The biggest purchase on the day went to Tallageira Pastoral, Frances, who picked up the top price ram.
Sired by Johnos 18202, the twin-born ram had a post-weaning eye muscle depth of 0.28, a maternal weaning weight of 1.69 and a Border Leicester Cross index of 127.28.
The ram was so strong according to Paxton stud principal Martin Harvey, it was almost kept in the stud.
“Even until the 11th hour I wanted to pull it out of the sale and keep it for the stud,” he said.
“He was just a big, strong, upstanding Border Leicester and was the standout ram from month to month.
“He’s a real show off and would always come and stand in front of you in the pen.
“I was always drawn to him, but I’m very pleased that he’s gone to Charlie and and we also get to use semen in stud and so it’s a win-win.”
The second top was knocked down Lot 4 for $5200 to Telang Lamb and Beef, Wangolina.
The ram was sired by Inverbrackie 174809 and had a Pemd of 0.86, a Mwwt of 1.55 and a BLX index of 127.60.
The clear volume buyer on the day, Jemalong Wool, NSW, purchased 30 rams to an average of $2706 and a top of $3600 three times.
“We had three new clients this year plus all of our loyal buyers in the barn which was great to see,” Mr Harvey said.
“To then have volume buyers like Jemalong Wool come down and pick up such a big order is a great feeling.
“We’re really blown away with the result.”
PPHS Naracoorte’s Robin Steen said the stud’s commitment to providing figures in recent years had been instrumental in its success.
“There were plenty of people chasing figures on the day, but that always comes down to the structure of the sheep as well,” he said.
“The quality of the sheep still comes first and in my opinion, the numbers follow that and if you can put it together, the people obviously chase them.
“Martin’s taken considerable time and effort to get his figures up because he didn’t start with any when he bought the stud so that’s taken a lot of dedication from him which seems to be paying off quite well.”