The success of the long term breeding objective of Seriston stud principal Anthony Hurst to keep length and frame in his White Suffolk and Suffolk sheep, while patiently adding more muscle, especially through the loin and hindquarter regions was evident for all to see at this year’s ram sale.

While Anthony felt it was clearly his best quality line-up to date, that was reinforced by unsolicited comments from the many long term clients in attendance.

“The quickest way to more visual muscle is to produce smaller sheep, which then takes the lamb marketing options out for our prime lamb clients,” Anthony said.

“We are not prepared to do that, so it has been a longer ride to get to the standard you can see in this year’s sale team,” he added.

In welcoming the very good crowd that included 35 registered bidders Anthony Hurst made special mention of two clients and their lambs this year. Greg Fisher, ‘Clover Ridge’, Lucindale recently sold 500 lambs at 14 to 15 weeks of age that averaged 22kg on hooks and returned $151/head.

Pictured with the $4100 top priced White Suffolk at Seriston are Elders auctioneer Ronnie Dix, Barry Snook, manager for purchasers Engler Enterprises, Langkoop, Seriston principal Anthony Hurst and Landmark auctioneer Gordon Wood.

Richard Smith, Langkoop has selected off 2460 lambs in one draft that are to be marketed this week that average 61kg liveweight at 16 to 17 weeks of age. Both were strong bidders in this sale.

All bar six Suffolks from the 149 White Suffolk and 40 Suffolk rams cleared under the auctioneering hammers of Ronnie Dix (Elders) and Gordon Wood (Landmark), achieving an overall sale average of $1209.

The greater bidding strength was clearly in the White Suffolk draft of 149 rams, with up to six of Seriston’s regular Suffolk clients not requiring rams this year due to a range of circumstances that had nothing to do with the outstanding quality on offer. Consequently the White Suffolks averaged a very strong $1304 with the Suffolks going out at a bargain basement average of $791.

The top priced Suffolk ram and top price overall at the Seriston ram sale was this ram purchased by Lachlan Grundy (2nd left) and held by Seriston principal Anthony Hurst. They are with auctioneers Ronnie Dix (Elders) and Gordon Wood (Landmark).

However the sale’s top price of $4500 was achieved for one of the Suffolk draft. This was for Seriston 150022, sired by New Zealand sire Coleford 310 and was purchased by Lachlan Grundy, Lake Roy stud through Elders Naracoorte. This ram displayed all the attributes described earlier in the stud’s breeding objectives by Anthony Hurst, with a 47.5mm eye muscle depth and 40.1 sq cm area at 114kg bodyweight.

Fourteen specially selected White Suffolk rams commenced the sale and averaged $2164, giving an indication of the buying strength for the White Suffolk draft.

Amongst them was Seriston 150300, sired by Ashley Park 397. With outstanding muscle readings of 51.5mm depth and 40sq cm area when scanned earlier at just 108.5kg bodyweight, it was snapped up by Engler Enterprises through Farm Manager Barry Snook for $4100, the top priced White Suffolk.

Seriston principal Anthony Hurst (right) is pictured looking over some of the impressive White Suffolk rams to sell so well, with Bruce Creek who purchased 28 rams A/c Balguhidder, Parawa and KI and new buyer Shane Clarke who purchased six rams through Elders Lucindale.

Ricahrd Smith, whose lambs gained a pre-sale mention, was the strongest buyer in the draft, selecting the best he could find for his lamb enterprise. He purchased 13 rams through Warne Livestock, paying to a top of $3600 and averaging $2238.

Courtney Gordon travelled from Bathurst to attain some of these rams and also bid very strongly, purchasing four at a $2400 average, topping at $3300.

Peter Kerr, Karowarra P/L and buying through Landmark Naracoorte was another strong repeat buyer, successfully bidding on 12 rams to a top of $2000 and at an average of $1617.

Courtney Gordon (left) travelled from Bathurst NSW to purchase four top White Suffolk rams from Seriston last Friday. She is pictured with Seriston principal Anthony Hurst (2nd right) and Sam Daniel and Jess Revell representing the joint sale sponsors Rods Stock Blocks and Coprice.

The volume buying honours went to Bruce Creek, A/c Balguhidder at Parawa and Kangaroo Island. He purchased 25 White Suffolks and three Suffolks, paying to a $1000 top and averaging an extreme value $704.

With the regular Suffolk buyers missing from this year’s sale a majority of these went at base prices, but to Seriston’s credit, a high clearance rate still resulted. David Copping, Avenue Range purchased three to $1200 in his four rams, while Peter Stock paid to $1000 in purchasing four Suffolks.

Other prominent regular buyers in the White Suffolk draft included Chas Gilkes, Bull Island Pastoral Co through Elders Lucindale (eight at a $1450 average), James McKay, also through Elders Lucindale (eight at a $1563 average).

Hillcrest Pastoral Co through PPH & S Naracoorte (nine at a $1067 average), Greg Fisher, through SAL Naracoorte (seven at a $1414 average) and the Thompson family, Mardango Props through Spence Dix & Co (six rams at a $1283 average).

Peter Kerr, Karowarra P/L Naracoorte is pictured inspecting the Seriston White Suffolk rams pre-sale. He liked what he saw, purchasing 12 to $2000 and at a $1617 average.

Photos by Chelsea Dahlenburg

New clients making an impact were Shane and Vanessa Clarke, through Elders Lucindale, purchasing six rams at a $1483 average.

The stud’s longest serving client is Brad Tiver, Mt Razorback Props, Burra. He could not make this year’s sale but sent an order through Elders Naracoorte’s Steph Brooker-Jones, purchasing three rams at a $967 average.

Locals the Strength at Seriston

With a big increase in the buyers’ register and interest spread from Burra to Edenhope, Pinnaroo to Kingston and Colac, and all points in between, the locals at Seriston last Friday were sure to be kept on their toes.

Once again late winter and spring rains have failed in the Avenue Range district. However, the offering of 133 White Suffolk and 41 Suffolk rams presented by Anthony Hurst were in wonderful condition and as fresh as new paint.

They were even from lot one to the end where rams in the last pen offered sold above last year’s average. Only three Suffolk rams were passed in on the day.

The strong sire battery that Anthony has put together is paying dividends as the average and clearance was well up on last year.

The strong battery has recently been complemented by the purchase of Premier Optimum 13P033 from the Gilmour family for $16,000. Keen judges and clients are waiting to see the progeny.

Under the astute hammer of Landmark’s Gordon Wood and Elders’ Tom Dennis the sale opened on a run of 81 White Suffolk rams, which sold to a wonderful top of $2700 and only two selling under $1000.

Photo: Tom Dennis, Elders Livestock Manager Naracoorte, Stud Consultant Leigh Allan, Anthony Hurst, Seriston, Gordon Wood, Landmark Stud Stock Manager display lot 83, Seriston 144100tw, the top priced ram at the sale at $3,800 & purchased by Hurlstone Agricultural High School, Glenfield NSW.

Six stud Suffolk rams followed and were all cleared to $3800 and an average of $2067. The top priced ram, Seriston 144100tw was purchased on order with Naracoorte based stud consultant Leigh Allan for Hurlstone Agricultural High School from Glenfield, south of Sydney, NSW.

Having been shown in Adelaide where he won a blue ribbon and sired by Telpara 75, the ram exhibited great bone, length, wool and meat quality.

With an EMD of 48mm and an EMA of 36.8 sq cm, he carried some of the best figures in the sale. Four people were bidding on the ram to $3000.

Second top price in the Suffolks was for S144146tw at $2300, purchased by the Hann family, Nampara Past. Co, Penola, who selected nine head in all averaging $1280.

Jarrad Burland from Gazete in Victoria paid up to $2000 for flock rams and the remaining flocks were split evenly amongst another 10 local clients.

The final 50 White Suffolks continued on at the high levels achieved before the break to offer the Suffolks.

The final 20 offered received less competition, but all cleared at rates marginally below last year’s average.

Click images to view full photo

(Left Photo) Leigh Warne, Landmark and Ken Hurst, Robe admire lot 2, Seriston 144464tw, the top priced White Suffolk at Seriston. Leigh purchased the ram for the Smith family, Lampshed Farms, Edenhope.

(Middle Photo) Daniel Varcoe, Elgin Past. Co, Millicent attended Seriston for the first time and purchased 7 head and is pictured with Seriston principal Anthony Hurst.

(Right Photo) Annie Haynes, David Crawford, Holmwood Pastoral Co, Avenue Range and Tom Dennis Elders inspect David’s purchase of 7 rams at Seriston on Friday.

The second top price in the Whites was for S144278tw at $2400 purchased by BJ & KT Drabsch from Kingston, while Leigh Allan paid $2200 on order for S144472tw for Willaroan Pastoral, Colac, Vic.

Leigh Warne, Landmark, Naracoorte was active throughout the sale with his clients, RD & MA Smith, Lampshed Farms, Edenhope.

They purchased 15 head to $2700, the top White Suffolk price, for an average of $1633, some $297 up on last year when they selected out 11 head.

Malcolm Gill, buying for Hillcrest Pastoral Co, Lucindale selected 12 rams to a top of $1100 and at an average of just over $1000.

Michael Ryan from Naracoorte, who has supported Seriston for years, purchased eight head, as did Ross Lomas, Point Vale Pastoral, from Hamilton in Victoria, paying up to $1500.

Daniel Varcoe from Millicent attended for the first time following advice from others who recommended these Seriston sheep. He purchased seven head and paid up to $1000.

Other major purchasers were Lake Hawdon at Robe, seven head, while Konetta Station, Greenways, Woodstock Partners, Lucindale, Walteela Props, Avenue Range, CC & JC Tiver, Hallett and Rob Johnson, Conmurra all purchased six rams.

Next door neighbour, David Crawford, Holmwood Past, purchased seven head as did Karowara Pty Ltd from Naracoorte, who purchased for the first time.

Sponsors who always support Seriston well were Coprice and Gallagher. The sale was conducted by Landmark and Elders with Gordon Wood and Tom Dennis were auctioneers.

Report by Richard Cooper

Averages and clearance up at Seriston

Following a very tough winter and virtually no spring and with a season deteriorating by the day, Anthony Hurst presented his rams in wonderful breeding order last Friday.

Almost entirely paddock reared, the offering of 42 Suffolk rams and 129 White Suffolks was keenly sought after by the many return buyers who know the great performance they consistently get from the Seriston rams.

In the Suffolk section 35 cleared to a top of $1,700 to record an average of $884, well up on lasts year’s 29 which averaged $866.

The White Suffolks also record a healthy increase in both numbers sold and average. 124 sold to a top of $1,700 to an average of $870, well up on last year’s 116 which averaged $822.

Overall the average for the 159 rams sold was $873, up $43 on last year and with a 93% clearance.

Richard Smith with his very active agent Leigh Warne of Landmark Naracoorte stepped in early in the White Suffolk section. Buying for RD & MA Smith “Lampshed Farms” Edenhope, Richard selected 11 rams for an average of $1,336 which included Lot 25, the top priced ram at $1700.

Holmwood Pastoral from Lucindale followed up last year’s major purchase of 14 head with another 11 Whites to a top of $1,000 and at an average of $818. In the Suffolk section the Hann family “Nampara” at Penola returned again this year to be the volume buyer and purchased 10 to a sale top of $1,700 and at an average of $1,300. Last year they purchased 11 for an average of $963.

Leigh Warne Landmark Naracoorte, Seriston principal Anthony Hurst and major buyer Richard Smith from Edenhope looking over the 11 rams Richard purchased for RD & MA Smith partnership for an average of $1,336.

Sponsors’ prize winner, Jason Elliott (right), “Heathfield Rural”, Bool Lagoon received a $200 voucher from Coprice and 2 bags of dog food presented by Seriston principal Anthony Hurst. Heathfield Rural purchased 6 rams for an average of $875.

JA & SM Jensen selected 4 Suffolks to $1,000 to average $925 for their Pinnaroo area property. Millicent clients Sunray Past Co also took home 4 Suffolks, as did Old Fairview from Lucindale.

Tecno Grazing from Mt Burr and were after numbers put a wonderful base in the sale, selectively securing 10 White Suffolks in the $500 to $600 range.

KM & RM Skeer from Millicent selected 8 head to $1,200 to average $1,050 and Lake Hawdon Props, at Robe also purchased 8 rams to $1,000 at an average of $856.

Winner of the Coprice sponsors’ prize of $200 and 2 bags of dog food was Jason Elliott, Heathfield Rural who took home 6 head for an average of $875. RA & MJ Jones, Lochaber selected 7 head, as did MS, CC & RB Johnson, Lucindale who purchased 9 head last year.

Geoff Agnew, the manager of the Baker Group of properties from Furner stepped into the sale early and purchased 5 rams to the equal second top price of $1,600, and at an average of $1,260. He also accepted the Gallagher sponsors’ prize of a Fence Energiser on behalf of the Baker Group from the Federal Member for Barker, Tony Pasin.

Speaking after the sale Seriston principal, Anthony Hurst expressed great satisfaction with the result.
“We have had a very adverse season, and to achieve a tremendous clearance of 93% with virtually all our purchasers being return buyers, we’re very happy” he said.

The sale was conducted by Elders and Landmark with Ronnie Dix and Gordon Wood the auctioneers.

 
 
Sale Summary

Tony Pasin, Federal Member for Barker is pictured presenting Baker Group Manager, Geoff Agnew with the Seriston Sponsors’ prize from Gallagher of a Portable Fence Engergiser.

Tim Merrett, Chay & Merrett Millicent is pictured making sure he has the correct rams on board after purchasing 10 Suffolk rams for 3 clients at the Seriston ram sale.

Ian “Church” Mason, Elders Lucindale purchased 8 rams at $800 for RA & JA Legoe and is pictured with Peter Tregoweth, Lucindale who purchased 2 rams at an average of $1,175.

10.5 mths of age – 45 mm – 112kg – $16000

VICTORIA’S last store sale before Christmas saw some festive spirit with prices firm to slightly dearer on the day.

The proximity to Christmas didn’t keep the crowd or the sun away from the Ballarat sale which saw a yarding of 2000 head.

Older heavier steers were making about 160 to 170 cents a kilogram, with the weaner steers selling for about 170-180c/kg.

The top price for steers on the day went to Dean Farming Partnership, Waubra, with 11 head of Angus and black baldy’s selling at $865.00, or 165c/kg.

They also sold a further 10 Angus steers, 447kg, at $785, or 175c/kg.

Landmark Mount Gambier, SA, was one of the more active buyers on the day, securing a number of pens before the larger weaner sales kick off this week.

Banongill Pastoral were volume vendors, offering 85 Angus and black baldy steers.

The black baldy’s were by Weeran-blood bulls out of Banemore cows and sold the best of the run, with the top pen of 15 sold at $790, or 171c/kg.

The Angus calves were Banquet, Weeran, Pert Angus and Lawsons-blood, and the top pen of nine sold at $760, or 165c/kg.

Anthony Hurst, Seriston, Lucindale, SA, made the trip across the border with 101 Charolais Shorthorn-cross steers and 84 heifers of the same sort.

After selling his annual draft at Ballarat in recent years, Mr Hurst said he took the cattle there because it was a good location to access more feed and buyers and he was happy with the prices he had been making.

His top pen of 10 steers, out of ex-Lake Hawdon cows by Rosedale bulls, average 395kg sold at $785, or 199c/kg.

The remainder of the line weighed in at 353-280kg and the total 101 sold to an av of $678.

The Seriston heifers made a top of $675, or 188c/kg, for a pen of 18, av 358kg.

The 84, spread over three pens, weighed from 358-271kg and av $610.

Brendan Cahill, Burrumbeet, made the top in the heifer market with seven Angus, av 512kg, at $700 or 136c/kg.

He also sold a further five at $640, or 142c/kg.

A change of enterprise saw WH Thomas and Partners disperse their Angus breeding stock, which saw them make the top price for cows at $1000.

The 26 two-year-old Cranmore-blood heifers were PTIC to calve in February.

They sold a total of 155 mixed-aged cows, PTIC to Banquet and Coolana bulls, to av $950.

Vendors and buyers alike seemed satisfied with result at the end of the day, with most hoping for a bit of rain over the Christmas period to keep boosting prices into the New Year.