Full clearance at Macquarie Dohne with increased average and larger draft

The Land By Elka Devney

James Nadin, Macquarie, Bruce Bryant, Peter Milling and Co, Wellington, auctioneer Paul Dooley, Tamworth, buyers David and Lucy Berrell, Midgery, Walgett, with the top-priced ram, MD241505. Picture by Elka Devney

Buyers sought structure and well-nourished wool at the Macquarie Dohne ram sale, held at Carinya, near Ballimore, on Wednesday, September 24.

All 162 lots sold to a top of $5500, twice, to average $2960, up $769 on last year.

David Berrell, Midgery Dohne stud, Walgett, secured the first $5500 ram, MD241741.

Son of MD228013 and out of MD191564, the June 2024-drop ram had Australian Sheep Breeding Values at +5.84 post weaning weight, +0.14 post weaning eye muscle depth, +8.81 yearling clean fleece weight (YCFW) and -0.38 yearling fibre diameter.

Mr Berrell also purchased MD-214317 son, MD241776, for $4500.

His family-run mixed enterprise includes Angus cattle, cropping, a Dohne stud and 4000 commercial Dohne ewes.

The commercial flock averages 20.5 micron, cuts six kilograms of wool per head and scans at 143 per cent.

“[The top ram] is an all-round correct ram with a strong back end and well-nourished wool,” he said.

“The other ram is a bit of a wildcard, but he has a stylish, bold, well-crimped wool that sets him apart from the top ram.”

Both rams will return to the stud, each running with 60 to 70 ewes in a February-March joining.

Last year, Mr Berrell sold 2300 wether lambs to Fletchers, Thomas Foods International and through the saleyards, averaging $292 a head.

CA and JM Ross, Balmoral, Victoria, bought the second top-priced ram, MD241770, for $5500.

Son of MD228067 and out of MD181144, the June 2024-drop ram ranked in the top five per cent of the breed for +2.02 yearling eye muscle depth and top 20pc at +14.05 YCFW, and +0.10 number of lambs weaned.

The Ross family also purchased three other rams to average $4125.

Volume buyer Thomas, Annie and Michael O’Brien, Brigalows, Carinda, purchased 31 rams to $3500 to average $2806.

Structure, fertility and conformation topped the family’s priorities.

They run 6000 Dohne ewes averaging 20 micron, joined mid-November.

Stud co-principal John Nadin, Macquarie, said he was thrilled with the sale’s result.

JG and SK Currey, Aberfoyle, Walgett, bought 16 rams to $5000 to average $3218.

DP O’Brien, Cryon Station, Walgett, secured 16 rams to $4000 to average $2968.

Nutrien Clemson Hiscox and Co, Walgett, conducted the sale, with Paul Dooley, Tamworth, as auctioneer. AuctionsPlus provided the online interface.