FAR Valley's annual on-property Dohne sale was a success once again, with all but one of the 112 rams on offer selling under the hammer, pushing the top price to an outstanding $2600.
With a massive 37 registered buyers, Far Valley stud principal David Kain earned a gross of $152,100, up from $141,700 last year, and an average of $1370 under the hammer.
Elders Williams livestock agent Mark Mahney said under the current seasonal conditions it was an outstanding result.
"The sheep presented were a credit to the vendor," Mr Mahney said.
"Buyers will come back for the quality under any conditions."
Steven Abbott, Capercup Dohne stud, Moodiarrup, bought the $2600 ram, his only purchase of the day.
The ram from lot six had excellent figures of BW 7.74 per cent, FW -9.36pc, CV -2.57, YFD -0.47 and an index of 118.
Mr Abbott, who has been buying Far Valley rams since 2003, runs about 500 stud ewes and 2500 commercial ewes and said he would use the top price ram for breeding.
"The ram had a good pedigree, was positive in the muscle, had a good body, structure and feet, and a very good CV," Mr Abbott said.
The quality line-up of rams encouraged active bidding with many buyers taking home large teams of rams.
Regular client Hawthornden Farm, Toodyay, was the volume buyer of the day, taking home an impressive team of 11 rams to a top of $1500 on two occasions and an average of $1300.
Falconhurst Grazing Co, York, was also a volume buyer, picking up eight rams for an average of $1450 and a top of $1800.
Buyers at the sale taking home teams of six rams included R Muir, Unicup, paying an average of $1167, Luke Poplevich, Mogumber, paying an average of $1250 and Anbrook Grazing, Beverley, paying an average of $1133.
HR & FA Gifford, Bridgetown, purchased five rams for an average of $1760, while HA & SA Panizza & Co, Arthur River, also purchased a team of five rams for an average of $1560.
Rambling Acres, Pingelly also took home five rams for a top average of $1740.
NWE & LWE Harding, Boyup Brook, Warranine Park, Brookton, GR & SL Mead, Boyup Brook, Harry Bardwell, Tarwonga, and LA Genetics Trust, Jamestown, South Australia, all took home teams of four rams.
Far Valley stud principal David Kain said he was very happy with the results.
"It was a true indication of the breed's acceptance here in WA and Australia," Mr Kain said.
"I was very happy with the top price.
"Given the seasonal conditions, overall it was great."
