AN outstanding line of young grassfed sires were offered at the 22nd annual on-property sale of Deepwater Border Leicesters at Binnum on Wednesday.
The pasture-reared and grown rams were presented in top working condition to 21 registered buyers from across the Upper and Lower South East areas, Western Districts of Vic and Kangaroo Island.
With its aim to keep structural soundness and wool quality, Deepwater has improved the maternal traits of fertility and milk, and has been steadily improving carcase traits for higher growth rates at a younger age.
Auctioneer Mat MacDonald, Southern Australian Livestock, Naracoorte, told the gallery that the stud was ranked number two in Australia for its SuperBorders figures in the maternal index for eye muscle and fertility.
Joint selling agent, Landmark stud stock's Richard Miller, remarked on the even line-up and fecundity Deepwater sheep were known for.
Rams listed in the catalogue are in the top 50 per cent of 2014 Border Leicester rams in Lambplan, tagged as SuperBorders, with 127 in the top 25pc and 29 in the top 10pc of all 2014 Border Leicester rams, assessed by Sheep Genetics.
Bids were called for the first two rams into the sale ring, with DK&JM Hermann, Naracoorte, taking the pair at $1000 each. The Hermanns bought three more throughout the catalogue, taking their total to five for a $920 average.
DK&CA Johnson made the trip from Parndana, Kangaroo Island, and twice paid the equal high sale price of $1200.
The rams had impressive figures of 124.3 and 125.9 in the Maternal SuperBorder Index, with +8 and +9.4 post weaning weight respectively.
The Johnsons bought a third ram at $1000 for a $1133 average.
The quality and even line-up was evident throughout the catalogue, with RJ&ED Sanders, Lucanda, Tintinara, paying the equal top price of $1200 for lot 56.
The Sanders bought seven rams for a $1014 average for their first-cross lamb operation at Tintinara.
Mr and Mrs Sanders said 2015 had been a tough year at Tintinara, having received only half of their average 450 millimetre rainfall. They gradually destocked to more manageable levels and now graze 500 ewes.
Volume buyers RH Woodward & Co, Lucindale, took 11 rams for a $872 average.
Stud principal Josh Dowdy was pleased with the presentation of rams and how they lined up but said several factors contributed to the disappointing clearance rate, with two major ewe sales near Bordertown and a ram sale at Naracoorte held on the same day.
But he is confident they will clear a good number of rams in coming weeks.
Judy Dowdy said the rams looked exceptional in spite of the season and that buyers went for top indexes and also found bargain prices.
With most graziers keeping a close watch on pastures and the ensuing long and hot summer, there seems to have been a gradual reduction in flock numbers as producers once again look at an extended dry period before the autumn rains.