While Roger and Dianne Trewick’s meat sheep studs have just celebrated their silver anniversary since foundation, they have flown under the radar of most observers for far too long. They have certainly been recognised by the followers of elite performance levels through Lambplan, but to a majority of prime lamb producers Pepperton has been overlooked.
In just their 3rd ‘annual sale’ last Monday (16th) and their first actual conventional auction, held at the Elmore Field Days site, they made some giant steps towards wider recognition and justified reward.
In a 70% clearance they sold 110 head of Poll Dorset and White Suffolk rams and ewes at an average of $876. As unremarkable as that may sound in comparison with many other sales, it was double the success in ram sales, and a three-fold increase on stock sold from last year’s Pepperton helmsman auction. Buyers from three states were also attracted this year. Many of the highly successful sales around the country would not have achieved that level of success in just their third sale.
Clearly the Pepperton sheep are good enough and their Lambplan figures fully support this. They sit many points ahead of the breed averages for both breeds and the industry on actual measured performance levels.
The Pepperton quality was certainly appreciated by those present. The first 15 Poll Dorset rams were offered as single lots, with pick of the pen of three from there on. Three rams went to other studs for ram breeding duties, while the balance that sold went to a combination of longer term and new clients.
Dale and Ruth Price, Marjadah stud, Glencoe, SA hooked in by phone and won the bidding duel with another phone bidder at $4000 to pick up the top priced Poll Dorset ram, Pepperton 160253. With a Carcase Plus index of 226 and a Lamb Eating Quality index of 150.8 it was arguably the standout performance ram in the catalogue.
From the offering of 70 Poll Dorset rams, there was a 77% clearance with 46 averaging $1035.
There were only 29 White Suffolk rams on offer and with the lesser numbers, competition was stronger, achieveing a higher clearance rate and average.
Twenty seven sold to a $3750 top and averaged a very credible $1311. Two of these went to stud duties including the top priced ram.
Steve and Linda Fawns, Deniliquin outlaid the $3750 top in purchasing P160690. Again it was the standout performance ram of the draft with a Carcase Plus index of 215 and a Lamb Eating Quality index of 150.1 The Fawns have had an established Dorset stud for 70 years, but this purchase will be the start for their new White Suffolk stud venture. The also purchased P160460, one of the other two Poll Dorsets rams that sold for stud duties, at $2500.
Underbidder on the top White Suffolk ram was Gary Hill, Hills stud, Stawell. He then purchased P160679 by the same sire, F130742 for $2500.
The top volume buying honours were shared by two buyers with 11 rams each. Leo Fitzpatrick, Willaura, Vic purchased eight Poll Dorsets and three White Suffolks, paying to a top of $1200 and at a $973 average in very astute and select buying, having also been prominent last year.
Gerard Keogh, Keogh Ag, Mountain Creek, NSW purchased just from the Poll Dorset draft, his 11 selections all being at $800 each.
Other prominent buyers included long term Poll Dorset supporter David Pitson, Bagshot with six Poll Dorsets all at $1000; Elm Valley Pty Ltd, Tarwin Lower with seven rams (five Poll Dorset and two White Suffolk) to $1300 and average $1014; and Gordonvale, Stawell with five White Suffolks to $1500 and at a $1440 average.
Roger and Dianne Trewick added another attraction for breeders in the offering of 59 ewes with lambs at foot. Again, the winners were those who attended and purchased high quality Poll Dorset or White Suffolk ewes at bargain basement prices, with all the work done.
It doesn’t take an elite mathematician to work out that stud ewes with lambs at foot, including several with triplets, are very cheap at the asking reserve of $350.
Peter and Rachael Beddie, Mandagery, via Parkes and buying through Langlands Hanlon Parkes agent Greg Miller had an absolute picnic, purchasing 11 of the Poll Dorset ewes to the draft top of $450 and at a $382 average. Nineteen of the 29 Poll Dorset ewes sold at a $368 average.
Of the 30 White Suffolk ewes offered, 18 sold, also to a $450 top and averaged $356.
B Stannard, Tallygaroopna paid the $450 top in his three purchases at a $383 average. Lachie Collins, Landmark Echuca purchased four of the best for his family’s Merribank stud, all at $350, while Hoban Family Trust, Rowan, NSW cherrypicked the balance, taking all 11 at the $350 base price.
| Sale Summary | ||||
| Poll Dorsets | White Suffolks | |||
| Rams | Ewes | Rams | Ewes | |
| Offered | 70 | 29 | 29 | 30 |
| Sold | 46 | 19 | 27 | 18 |
| Top | $4000 | $450 | $3750 | $450 |
| Average | $1035 | $368 | $1311 | $355 |
| Sale Agents: GTSM
Auctioneer: Michael Glasser |
||||
