Auction Summary 2018 2017
Offered 88 72
Sold 85 69
Top $2300 (x2) $17500
Average $1464 $1115
WITH the help and support of family and friends, Craig, Emily and Chloe Mitchell went ahead with their seventh annual summer ram lamb White Suffolk sale, which was rewarded with an exceptional result.
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It was certainly a deeply emotional lead-up to the sale since the tragic loss of Craig’s wife Rosalie, Emily and Chloe’s mother, in a rail crossing accident late last year, but the planning and hard work she had a major influence in was well rewarded and a big comfort for the family.
Eighty-five of the catalogued 7 to 8 month-old ram lambs sold at auction to a top of $2300 and averaged $1464.
The day ended with another eight selling immediately afterwards at $800 each.
All purchasers were spring lambing commercial producers, indicating the confidence in the lamb industry at present.
With Michael Glasser, GTSM, wielding the auctioneer’s hammer, bids came thick and fast throughout the sale, with 10 ram lambs reaching $2000 or higher, including two at the $2300 top.
Good sales often have great value at the front end as many buyers wait to see where the market settles before bidding seriously, and this was certainly the case in this sale.
Bungeeltap Pty Ltd, Macedon, jumped in to grab all three in the first pen on the first hammer at $1600 each, and from there it only got stronger.
They were one of the strongest bidders throughout and bid successfully on 12 ram lambs, paying to $2100, and averaging $1558.
The $2300 top was first reached at lot 24 for Gemini 170243Tw, being purchased by Noel Lubcke and his daughter Megan, Winchelsea.
Sired by G160103, this very well balanced and correct youngster was supported by great Lambplan figures of birth weight (bwt) 0.4, post-weaning weight (pwwt) 16.4, Pfat 0.1, Pemd 1.9 and a Carcase Plus index of 202.
The Lubckes purchased three very select ram lambs at a $2100 average.
Lot 25 saw the top equalled when G170280Tw by the same sire sold to Leo Fitzpatrick, Fitzpatrick Family Trust, Willaura.
A first-time Gemini purchaser, Mr Fitzpatrick bid strongly throughout, selecting six ram lambs at a $1383 average.
This equal sale topper exceeded the previous ram’s performance level for growth at 19.0 for Pwwt, and had a Carcase Plus index of 212.
The biggest volume buyer was Langi Willi Pty Ltd, Skipton, who operated through TB White, Ballarat.
They purchased 15 ram lambs, topping at $1800 and averaging $1547.
Their top purchases were for all three in the second last pen of the day as they chased the numbers they needed, but there was little variance in quality right through the offering, these three averaging 199.3 on the Carcase Plus index.
After the Gemini spring sale, Craig and Rosalie Mitchell made the decision to make an annual donation of the proceeds of a ram lamb in this sale to the Inverleigh and Districts Good Friday Appeal.
That decision was honoured with the offering of G170048Tw at lot 18, that ram being one of the best and having a C+ index of 205.
It made $2200 with total proceeds, including GTSM commission going to the appeal.
The supporting successful bidder was Dweal Pty Ltd, ‘The Grange’, Tatyoon, who later purchased another ram lamb at $1800.
Glenample Pty Ltd, Princetown, was another very prominent bidder, purchasing seven ram lambs, to a top of $2000, and at an $1814 average.
Meek Family Trust, Shelford, were very strong bidders on the ram lambs they selected, winning the bidding on four, to a top of $2000, and averaging $1850.
Also purchasing four rams each were Heatherbank Pastoral Co, Westmere, (av $1150) and Jenbach Pty Ltd, Pittong (av $950).