Record averages were set in the flock ram and ewe offerings at Detpa Grove White Suffolk sale’s 32nd annual sale at Jeparit, Vic, where there was a near total clearance of 250 lots to five states.
Stud principal David Pipkorn said he was overwhelmed by the support at last Thursday’s sale, with more than 360 people watching the sale in the stands or online, including putting in 260 bids through AuctionsPlus
He described it as a “rock-solid” result, especially the full clearance of 73 ewes for a $1402 average.
This eclipsed their previous best average of about $1100 at their mated ewe sale.
Thirty stud rams sold to $23,000 with an average of $6783, and 143 of the 146 flock rams sold to $2900 for a new record average of $1831- up $272 on 2019.
“The success was widespread,” Mr Pipkorn said. The $23,000 top priced ram, Lot 78, 190113 was bought by the Wilkinson family, Camborn stud, Pooncarie, NSW, who also secured last year’s sale topper.
Sired by Ella Matta 170300 and out of an elite Detpa Grove ewe, 190113 boasted a weaning weight figure of 12.12, post weaning weight figure of 19.10 and eye muscle depth of 2.85 with a top end Terminal Carcase Production index of 161.
Roger Wilkinson added two more rams, lot 76 at $9000 and lot 77 at $4000 to his 2020 sale tally.
“We just like the thickness in the rams and their type. They’re keeping true to the (White) Suffolk type,” he said.
“David is one of the leading blokes in the field; he’s very good at it so we keep coming back.”
The next highest price ram Lot 86, 190064, sold for $12,000 to long-term client, Mark Williams, Lillimur, Vic.
Mr Williams, who has been buying Detpa Grove genetics for more than 25 years, also added a second stud ram to his flock with Lot 84, 190223 for $10,000.
Four other rams made the same money including lot 80 bought by the Wadlow family, Old Ashrose stud, Hallett, who first bought ewes at the stud’s 2019 sale.
“We were very happy with those ewes last year and are impressed with the ram we bought today,” he said.
“It had a good birth weight, a terrific TCP index and terrific presence. It was a very well-structured ram which appealed to us.”
Among the online bidders was UNEN Ag International which picked up five rams for an undisclosed international client topping at $6000 and averaging $3200.
Leading the volume buyers was Craig Bennie, Edenhope, Vic, who bought 18 flock rams between $1000 and $2200.
Mr Bennie purchased rams both for himself and on behalf of other commercial buyers whose SA agent couldn’t attend the sale due to coronavirus border restrictions.
In the stellar ewe sale, Lot 26, 190144 made the $2800 high and was bought by Banquet stud, Mortlake, Vic.
Sired by Somerset 160067 and out of a dam which had been an embryo-transfer donor ewe, Lot 26,190144 carried figures of Wwt8.75, Pwt15.18, an impressive Pemd3.83 and TCP156.
Mr Branson bought nine ewes at the sale including one of the second highest priced ewes, Lot 12, 190089, for $2600.
“I’ve been buying rams and ewes from David for more than 15 years; they’re good sheep,” he said.
“I’m expanding my ewe program and it’s a bit hard to go past those very good ewes. He has a fantastic line of ewes all the way through.”
Also selling at $2600 was lot 7 to Aaron Picker, Crookwell, NSW. Other notable stud sales included Charles Rowett, North Ulandi, Kapunda, who took home seven ewes.
Mr Pipkorn said he was very pleased with the support from both stud and commercial buyers, which he put down to the combination of traits on offer.
“I think people have come to expect the depth of quality that we put up,” he said. “They know they are a bit spoilt for choice here.”
Elders Warracknabeal conducted the sale with Ross Milne the auctioneer. Mr Milne who has been officiating at the sale for nearly 20 years said it was one of their best sales in terms of clearance rates and total gross.
He said the favourable lamb market and good season influenced the result, but it also reflected the quality offered by Detpa Grove.
“It has been one of the most influential White Suffolk studs in Australia for some time,” Mr Milne said. “It’s a trusted brand in the industry and that carries through to the sale result.”
Courtesy of Janine Elen, Stock Journal
