THE Pipkorn family achieved a milestone result at their 30th annual Detpa Grove White Suffolk sale at Jeparit, Vic, on Thursday last week, reaching a top price of $26,000.
With 65 registered bidders in attendance and a further 35 users connected via the active Auctions Plus network, 230 of 243 rams and ewes were sold for an overall sale average of $1809.
The sale highlight was undoubtedly the stunning $26,000 top price in the stud ram draft of 30 rams.
This was bid by Elders Mildura’s Kelvin Fitzgerald on behalf of his client Roger Wilkinson, Camborn Station, Wentworth, NSW, for DG 170591, a beautifully balanced August-drop son of DG 0485 Tw.
With Lambplan figures as impressive as its exceptional phenotype, including 17.64 for post-weaning weight, -0.14 for PW fat, 1.58 for PW eye muscle depth and a Carcase Plus index of 207, it was a standout ram in an outstanding draft that averaged $5150. This was up $1806 on last year’s average and $17,000 on last year’s $9000 top price.
Rivers Hyde, Kohat stud, Ongerup, WA, connected to the sale via phone and successfully negotiated a semen share in this sale topping ram.
Underbidder on the sale-topper Alan Manton, Manton Farming Co, Yealering, WA, managed to secure the next lot, DG 170293 Tw, for $6000, adding to two ewes he bought earlier in the sale.
Fresh from his inaugural Banquet ram sale at Mortlake, Vic, three days before, Gordon Branson outbid strong competition on DG 170267 Tw by DG 150042. He paid the sale’s second-highest price of $16,000 for the deep and balanced ram that displayed outstanding muscling and an exceptional skin and Downs wool.
Long-time client Mark Williams, Lillimur, Vic, bought three stud rams averaging $8167, topping at $12,000 for DG 170154, an high-performing appendix son of Hillcroft Farms 130156, with a PWEMD of 2.78, a Lamb Eating Quality index of 158 and Carcase Plus index of 218.
Nick Cheetham, Cheetara stud, Narembeen, WA, also successfully bid $12,000 for the well-muscled DG 170559, an August-drop son of DG ‘Code’ 160247ET.
The stud ewe draft also attracted strong stud competition, with 67 of 68 finding new homes, topping at $2200 and averaging $949. This was a top price increase of $800 and a $229 lift in average.
The top price was paid by Nathan Ditchburn, Golden Hill stud, Kukerin, WA, for DG 170557 Tw, an impressive August-drop daughter of DG 140101 Tr. Mr Ditchburn bought three ewes averaging $1733.
Brayden and Lachie Gilmore, Oberon, NSW, also bought three ewes, paying to the second-highest price of $1800 and averaging $1333.
The volume ewe buyer was W Peck & K Brown, who started with the first ewe at $800 and finished on the third-to-last ewe at the same price, buying 15 in total to $1200 and averaging $853.
Mark Stass, Gunnawanna Pastoral, Piallamore, NSW, added to a $2000 ram purchase with eight ewes, paying to $1600 and averaging $1100.
Hannaton, through Kyle Livestock, Kaniva, Vic, bought six ewes, averaging $633, while B&N Medlyn, Clover Valley White Suffolks, Stuart Mill, Vic, took five at a $780 average.
This year’s flock ram draft lacked nothing in quality but prices were more in the buyers’ favour. The average came down to $1490, compared with last year’s $1621 average.
Twelve of the 145 rams did not find buyers at auction and with 16 of the last 30 to sell going for just $800 each, it allowed lower budget buyers to get on the buying list and volume buyers to lower their buying average.
Peter Irving, Irving Partnership, was again the sale’s volume buyer with 25 rams. He paid from $800 to $1600 and averaged $1184.
Elders Warracknabeal were the selling agents, with Ross Milne and Matt O’Connor auctioneering.
“It was an outstanding line-up right through with some standout individual animals, but there were plenty of both stud and commercial rams that sold at great value, which was a real feature,” Mr Milne said.
Detpa Grove principal David Pipkorn said the rain they had leading up to the sale improved confidence and gave some hope in the immediate area, which helped the sale result.
“It’s been a tough year and the sheep have had to be tough to get through it, but we’re very happy with how they came up and sold,” he said. “We’re very appreciative of the great support we received today.”
Courtesy of Ian Turner, Stock Journal
