Regular buyers have shown their appreciation of Babirra breeding, nabbing the top lots on the day.
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Babirra's Dohne offering of 40 had 25 sold at an equal top of $1800 and an average price of $1068, at Stansbury on Tuesday, while of the 22 Poll Merino rams offered, 14 were sold to a top of $3400 and average $1071.
The two top price Dohne rams in Lot 5 and 6 were bought by Twartz Producers, Yorketown, with their two rams on the day averaging $2700.
The Lot 5 ram weighed 163 kilograms and had an eye muscle depth of 36 millimetres, fibre diameter of 17.4, standard deviation of 2.7, coefficient of variation of 15.2 and comfort factor of 100 per cent.
The Lot 6 ram had a 40EMD, 18.7FD, 3.0SD, 16CV and 99.6CF.
Peter Twartz said the growth rate and size of the top price Dohnes stood out to him, along with how they were good all-rounded sheep, which he had found since he first attended the sale about 10 years ago.
"They're well growing sheep and are in excellent condition," he said.
The top price Poll Merino was bought by regular buyer and local client Graham Cook, Minlaton, with the Lot 44 ram having a 19 micron fleece with 2.7SD, 14CV and 99.8 CF as well as a 46.5EMD.
Mr Cook bought two Poll Merinos on the day at an average of $3800 and said the body shape of the top price ram caught his eye.
"He had a nice flat back, good stance and a nice micron and there was a little bit of grease in the wool, which's good for my lighter soil country," he said.
After attending the Babirra sale for approximately 15 years, Mr Cook said the Poll Merinos suited his target qualities and due to the fact they are local, he knew they would suit his property.
Volume buyers on the day were NR Parsons, Kimba, who bought 10 Dohnes at an equal top of $1600, and average of $9480; BM Parish, Adelaide Hills, took home five Dohnes at a top of $1500 and average $980; BR Thompson, Nunjikompita, bought three Dohnes and one Poll Merino at a top of $1600 and average of $4000; while Wahroonga Wood, Maitland, was the volume buyer of the Poll Merinos, with three at an equal top of $1000 and average of $2366.
Nick Parsons said the 10 Dohnes he bought were good looking sheep and a decent size, which was what he targeted prior to the sale.
Babirra's Lynda Farrow said she was happy with how the sale went, given the current market, and it was pleasing to see a number of returning clients attend the sale, such as Mr Cook and Mr Twartz.
"With the Dohnes we target good wool and carcases and with the Poll Merinos we target the Australian Sheep Breeding Values to help the young buyers who are into the data, but we also try to keep that visual aspect and breed an easy care sheep," she said.
Elders auctioneer Tom Pena said the sheep at Babirra had never been better for growth, shape and wool quality, with the absence of some local buyers making it hard for the results to match the 2022 figures.
The sale was conducted by Elders with support from Nutrien.
