THE sun was shining on the Northam Spring Suffolk Show and Sale last week.
Suffolk breeders came from across the State to show off their sheep and the positive effects of a good year were certainly evident throughout the shed.
In the second year of the sale under the Helmsman auction format, bidding was solid resulting in a $3025 average for the day and a gross of $24,200 with further negotiations after the fall of the hammer.
The results were slightly down on last year but Landmark auctioneer Grant Lupton, Wongan Hills, said the Helmsman format was working for buyers.
"It allows buyers to make selections to their limits and give careful consideration to their choices," Mr Lupton said.
"The offering was a credit to the vendors with a very good selection of genetics available."
Roy Addis, Landmark Breeding, agreed and said it was an excellent result to achieve prices over $5000 on three occasions.
The top priced ram was a triplet, Pamellen 77, and sold at $5300 to the Philipps family, Boyup Brook.
John Philipps said the ram was sired by Westcombe NZ 86/09 and out of quality New Zealand bloodlines.
"Visually he looks great with a nice big frame and impressive fat cover," Mr Philipps said.
"The positive ASBVs are a bonus."
The ram's ASBVs came in at 0.45 BWT, 9.0 WWT, 14.0 PWWT, 0.1 PFAT, 0.5 PEMD and had an overall index of 175.6.
The Philipps family will market the semen from the ram as well using it over the ewes in the Karinya Suffolk stud flock run by John's son Richard Philipps and daughter-in-law Sally Larkin.
Another ram from Pamellen stud with New Zealand genetics went at the second top price of the day to LT Toovey & Sons, Cranbrook, for $5200.
Buyer George Toovey, Cranbrook, said he had bought from the Clackline-based Pamellen stud before and will continue to do so in the future.
"The Pamellen sires have the type of structure we're looking for," Mr Toovey said.
Third top price came in at $5000 for Lynburn 247 paid by Roy Addis, Landmark Breeding, on behalf of Bundara Downs, South Australia.
Mr Addis said as soon as he rang the buyers to tell them about the ram they were interested.
"He's got a great frame and ASBVs and the fat and muscle in particular caught my attention," Mr Addis said.
The previous day's show saw Pamellen Suffolk stud, Clackline, reign supreme for another year running.
Supreme exhibit and champion ewe went to Pamellen 69 sired by Westcombe, on the back of winning supreme ewe at the 2016 Wagin Woolorama.
According to Pamellen's Pam Hinkley, the ewe has always been a stand out.
"With her nice fleshing and correct structure, she's an important part of our breeding flock," Ms Hinkley said.
Reserve champion ewe was exhibited by York-based Sasimwa stud, which also won the progeny group category.
Kay Cole, Sasimwa stud, said it was lovely to be recognised by the judge.
"The judge said they could have been triplets which was such a pleasure to hear when we are really working on building that consistency of frame into our flock," Ms Cole said.
The champion ram ribbon went to Salmon Gums-based Brimlo stud for Brimlo 150013 sired by Oakwood, with reserve champion ram title going to Pamellen stud.
Brimlo's Tim Starcevich was happy with the result.
"He's just a nice, well rounded ram," Mr Starcevich said.
"We use him at home as a back-up to our AI program and it's working well."
Mr Starcevich also bought the lot of three ewes from Karinya Suffolk stud, Boyup Brook, for a total of $1200 during the sale.
