THE sun was shining in west Badgingarra last Friday as the Sandown Prime SAMM stud achieved almost a total clearance at its annual on-property ram sale.
Each of the 18 registered buyers bought at least one Prime SAMM ram under the hammer at an average of $840, with strong bidding pushing the sale top price across the 69 rams sold to $1700.
This was paid by stud newcomer Ian Phillips and his son Dale, who travelled from Dowerin to snap up pen three which had results of 118 kilograms bodyweight, 47mm eye muscle depth (EMD) and 8.7mm fat from its August 23 scanning, and wool figures of 22.2 micron and 98.3 per cent comfort factor from June 15.
The Phillips bought a further six rams throughout the catalogue, taking home their load of seven at an average of $1143.
The pair currently run a Merino flock but due to a good season they have bought in additional ewes to make use of the feed.
Of the 2000 Merino ewes, Dale Phillips said they would mate about 1000 to the Prime SAMM rams.
"We also bought some F2 Prime SAMM lambs recently, and are looking to target the F2 market," he said.
Dale said he and Ian had selected Sandown as the place to buy their Prime SAMM rams after some extensive research.
Before the sale Landmark auctioneer Andrew Viola said stud principals Graham Sutherland and Tony Abbey had produced an outstanding line-up of very well presented rams.
Mr Viola said the positive outlook for red meat as a protein meant growers could buy with confidence.
Quinlivan Farms, Esperance took home two rams for the day at the equal second-top price of $1500 each.
This was paid for the 116kg ram in pen two, which scanned 45.5mm EMD and 6.7mm fat with wool tests of 21.5 micron and 99.6pc CF, and the 123kg ram in pen four that scanned 44.2mm EMD and 7.2mm fat with wool measuring 21.3 micron and 99.5pc CF.
A further two rams were sold for $1500 - pen one which scanned at 125kg, 45.7mm EMD and 7.8mm fat with wool figures of 21 micron and 99pc CF was purchased by CJ Squiers, Shirlee Downs stud, Quairading.
They also purchased pen five which scanned at 111kg, 44.9mm EMD, 8.4 fat with wool figures of 21 micron and 99.8pc CF which was purchased by Mondarra Farming, Dongara.
Mondarra Farming bought a total of four rams at an average of $1125.
Long-time commercial Prime SAMM producers and Sandown clients Topham Bros, Coomberdale, were the volume buyers of the day with 10 rams at an average of $610 and to a top of $900.
Kim Topham said he selected the team of rams to use within his 2000 head self-replacing Prime SAMM ewe flock, of which 1600 were joined to Prime SAMM sires, based on their wool quality and micron.
Another long-time client, Brian Tucker, PF & MJ Tucker & Son, bought seven rams at an average of $736 and to a top of $1100 to take back to his Arrino property.
Mr Tucker said he also ran a pure Prime SAMM self-replacing flock with about 1700 head of ewes, and targeted the prime lamb export market.
He selected his rams by sight, preferring good, heavy sheep that were solid in the front and behind.
Turramurra Trust, Three Springs, also bought seven rams at an average of $850 and to a top of $1100.
Another regular buyer, Mt Jetty Pastoral Company, Badgingarra, bought five rams at an average of $780 and to a top of $1100.
JA & JM Nelson, Badgingarra, bought four rams to a top of $700, while five buyers picked up three rams each - EHR & JC Sutherland, Perenjori, at an average of $1033; GR & W Driscoll, Dongara, at an average of $900; Broad Holdings, Mingenew, at an average of $1167; MC & JA Culloton, Moonyoonooka, at an average of $633; and Rubicon Trust, Badgingarra at an average of $500.
Mr Sutherland, who had achieved a total clearance shortly after the sale with the three rams passed in under the hammer having been sold, thanked buyers for their support.
He believed the Prime SAMM breed had an excellent future as a maternal ewe base.
"I honestly believe they are the best sheep I have been involved with, and I've been breeding sheep for the past 60 years," he said.
