KEN Payne of Tullaview, Forbes, New South Wales, claimed the top priced Dohne ram for $1800 at the annual on-property sale held by Babirra stud, Stansbury, on Tuesday, August 13.
The top-priced ram was in popular demand, along with Mr Payne’s other purchase, a $1700 Dohne ram.
The next highest-price achieved for Dohne rams was $1400.
A total of 40 Dohne rams were on sale; 38 of which were purchased at an average price of $1024.
This is about a $45 decrease on last year’s average price; however, there was a 32.5 per cent increase in volume as 38 of the 40 Dohne rams were purchased.
Jacksons of Broken Hill contributed to this as they were the top volume buyer, taking home more than half the Dohnes on sale.
Minlaton Elders manager and Jackson’s stock agent Adam Pitt, said the Jacksons had been buying at Babirra for more than 10 years and were “long term supporters of the sale”.
“When they buy, they buy plenty — they’re buying quantity,” Pitt said.
Babirra principal Lynda Farrow said while there were fewer buyers than past years because of the lack of rain, the quality of sheep has not declined.
“We’ve been advised that we’ve got good sheep,” Mrs Farrow said.
She said they were trying to breed for “good” wool and carcases on both the Dohne and Poll merino rams.
“We knew it was going to be tougher this year,” she said.
“It just hasn’t rained throughout the whole of South Australia — otherwise we’re pretty happy. We’ll just keep doing what we’re doing.”
The Farrows also offered 22 Poll Merinos in the main auction and six in a mini auction. Half of these sold, with a top price of $1400 and an average price of $857.
Yorketown’s Paul Preuss snapped up the top priced Poll Merino and was one of three top volume buyers.
“He’s got nice wool on him,” he said of the top-priced Poll Merino.
“He’s got a big barrel, nice and long dense wool. He’s a good size. So, he’s just what I wanted.”
Mr Preuss has been buying from Babirra for more than 30 years.
“When you get them, you know what you’re getting.
“Some places where people chop and change with their genetics (it) can throw it all over the place, whereas these are pretty consistent,” he said.
Last year, the stud sold two more Poll Merinos, with a top-price of $3400 and an average of $1071.
The Farrows said they plan to hold their 64th Annual Field Day in August, 2025.