Vendors win praise at Northampton ram sale

A total of 131 stud rams went under the hammer at the Northampton Ram Shed last week, of which 127 were sold at auction with the shed average sitting at $946.07.

Primaries represented Sandhurst, Lyndale and Mulga Springs, averaging $787.86 over 49 rams and their top shed price was Sandhurst's lot 2 bought by AJS Hulme of Ajana $1600.

Craig Walker, of Primaries Livestock, was impressed by the excellent presentation at the sale.

"The rams consisted of modern, long-staple, free-growing, white wool sheep," he said.

"A lot came in over the $1000 mark and it was promising to see buyers travelling from Eneabba and surrounding areas, there is a lot of confidence in the sheep and wool markets."

Walkindyer's Poll Merino Stud shed winner, lot 72 represented by Landmark, sold for $3000 to KJ and J Drage.

Landmark sold 78 rams overall and topped the shed average with $1045.52 on behalf of Lyndale, Walkindyer, Dowellen and Allaneena studs.

GF & RT Ash's March shorn Poll Merino Ram priced well at $2900 in lot 121 sold to Yandanooka Farms.

Garry Harrison, of Landmark Northampton, said the better quality of sheep this year was largely attributed to the good grain season in Northampton.

"Warrick Teakle's shed winner was a sure bet and I had it picked out months ago," he said. "His recent ram purchase in South Australia is a good sign of further improvements to Walkindyer stud.

"All vendors had great sheep. Northampton sheep are up with the best, it would be great to see newcomers or some oldies come back to the local sheep industry."

Northampton ram sale * SHED SOLD TOTAL AVERAGE TOP PRICE Sandhurst 34 $27,900 $820.59 $1600 Mulga Springs 8 $6100 $762.50 $1150 Walkindyer 35 $41,500 $1185.72 $3000 Dowellen 14 $11,400 $814.29 $1200 Allaneena 9 $9100 $1011.12 $2900 Lyndale 27 $24,150 $894.45 $2100