Macquarie Dohne’s largest offering sends rams to five states

The Land By Kate Loudon

A clearance of 96 per cent was achieved at the Macquarie Dohne Stud’s 19th annual Production Ram sale held on property near Ballimore with rams being sold accoss NSW, Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania, and South Australia.

The sale of 228 rams was the largest offering of Dohne rams ever from one vendor and was up by 30 compared to the 2021 Macquarie Dohne sale.

Overall, 222 of 228 rams sold to a top of $8000 for an average of $3000.

Topping the sale at $8000 was MD214702, purchased by O’Brien Poll Merino and Dohne Merino, Kyancutta, Ayre Peninsula, SA.

Coming from the Wardry line, the son of MD191457 was in the top 10 per cent for yearling number of lambs born and yearling number of lambs weaned.

The ram was also in the top 20pc for the Dohne Plus index at 167.

As first time buyers from Macquarie Dohne’s, Darren O’Brien said the ram was well structured and had good feet.

“He was good for his eye muscle area and fats, had a good wool cut, and early growth,” Mr O’Brien said.

“I was just chasing that wool type,” he said.

Unable to attend the sale, Mr O’Brien purchased the ram sight unseen but said he had watched the sale videos and looked at the additional photos.

“A few people I knew were at the sale and they said he was a good ram,” he said.

The ram will go into a Merino Dohne cross program where Mr O’Brien joins about 1000 adult ewes and 500 to 600 ewe lambs.

Three rams reached the equal second top price of $6500 with Darren Gurnett and Michelle Sutcliffe, Gunyado Dohne stud, Kerang, VIC, securing MD214821 for this price.

The ram is from the Olympus family, sired by MD140034 and was in the top 5pc for the Dohne Plus index, yearling clean fleece weight, number of lambs weaned, and weaning, post weaning, yearling, and hogget weight.

The next ram to hit the equal second top was MD214916, purchased by JG and SK Currey Partnership, Walgett.

Sired by MD180479 and from the Wardry line, 214916 was in the top 5pc for all clean fleece weights, number of lambs weaned, and the hogget and adult greasy fleece weight.

Tag MD214087 was the third ram to reach the $6500 equal second top price purchased by DP O’Brien Family Trust, Walgett.

Coming from the Wardry line, this ram was sired by MD191457.

He was in the top 5pc for yearling clean fleece weight and the top 10pc for yearling weight, yearling greasy fleece weight, and adult clean fleece weight.

Purchasing the largest draft was long term client O’Brien Brigalows Pastoral Co, Walgett, which took 35 rams for an average of $3017.

Michael O’Brien said he thought the rams looked magnificent and was very pleased with the line of rams he was taking home.

Joining about 6500 ewes, Mr O’Brien said the weather he had received on his black soiled plains at Walgett meant he would be able to run even more Dohnes.

Among the 34 successful purchasers in the sale, five were stud operations which included O’Brien Dohne, Kyancutta, Ayre Peninsula, SA, which purchased the top priced ram.

Midgery Dohne Stud, Walgett, purchased MD214424 for $6000, and Spring Valley, Koorawatha, purchased MD214400 for $6000.

Eagle Ridge Dohne Stud, Cowan, SA, and Gunyado Bazadais and Dohne studs, Kerang East, VIC, were purchasing online with Eagle Ridge securing the second top priced ram.

Clemson Hiscox and Co’s Chris Clemson, Walgett, said there was a beautiful line up of sheep that had “come up a treat” after the wet weather Macquarie had received in the leadup to the sale.

Macquarie Dohne’s Greg McCann said they had increased ram numbers to ensure all clients were able to secure rams.

“We wanted both our old and new clients to have a fair go at being able to buy stock and that is what happened,” Mr McCann said.

John Nadin, Macquarie Dohne, Ballimore, said he was thrilled with the results and support from new and repeat buyers.

“We had about half a dozen new clients here and rams sold anywhere from $1000 to $8000 so there were affordable rams for everyone’s budget”.

Auctioneer Paul Dooley said this was the strongest sale he had seen from Macquarie Dohne’s in the 10 plus years he had been selling for the stud.