THE Waratah White Suffolk stud mated ewe dispersal sale held in Branxholme on April 8 was a resounding success, with one Lot setting a new Australian record for the sale of a White Suffolk ewe.

209 ewes were offered on the day, with 208 selling for an average of $2189.

The ewes were purchased by 30 studs across five different states, with online buyers using AuctionsPlus to bid on 201 Lots and successfully buy 90.

Stud principals, Debbie and Steve Milne, said it was an “amazing day” with the top priced ewe, Lot 49, selling to Lachy Day from “Days Whiteface” in Bordertown, South Australia, for $8000, making it an Australian record for a White Suffolk ewe. 

Ms Milne said Mr Day had been a “long-time supporter” of the Waratah stud and had also purchased another four ewes, averaging $4040 for five ewes.

The second top price ewe was Lot 46 which sold for $6500 to the Anden stud at Woomelang, Victoria, who also purchased Lot 48 for $3800.

Anna Villa and Tiparra Springs purchased the first and last ewes offered in the sale for an average of $3375, and 37 Lots were purchased at an average of $1718 by a buyer in Armidale, New South Wales, who plans to use the ewes as the foundation of their Chandler White Suffolk stud.

The local stud Iona White Suffolks, located in Henty, also walked away with 15 Lots for an average of $2080.

Mr Milne said he and his wife Debbie were over the moon with the result of the first phase of the sale and wanted to thank all the successful purchasers and under-bidders for making it so successful.

“We are overwhelmed by the support shown to us today and extremely pleased that our genetics were so sought after by other breeders,” he said.  

“It was really gratifying for people to actually come here and choose to take some of our ewes and our genetics home.

“It was well and truly above our expectations.”

Ms Milne agreed it was an incredible day and said she “didn’t expect for it to go as well as it did”.

“We did know we had a lot of interest, but you don’t know if that is going to necessarily translate into sales,” she said.

“A lot of the older ewes sold just as well as the young ones … they sold like hot cakes!

“We want to sincerely thank the agents for their efforts and all the helpers who came, it was a community effort by all concerned.”

The final phase of the dispersal will be held on October 10, with the sale of the 2021 rams and ewes.