Ram sale results have been patchy in areas hit by drought

Farmers feeding stock for most of the year as the drought drags on have been under sustained pressure but this breeder says they deserve credit.

Marianne and Tim Ferguson. Picture: Dale Webster

“It’s a credit to the blokes and the ladies who turned up and bought rams, given the season we have had and the pressure on farmers feeding stock.”

This quote sums up the relief and gratitude of seedstock producer Tim Ferguson, following his Mallee stud ram sale on Monday.

Tim, who runs the Mallee Park stud with wife Marianne at Hopetoun, said the high clearance rate was the most pleasing aspect of the results.

It comes as the Mallee suffers from a dreadful season with big crop losses, with some farmers also reducing stock numbers.

The Ferguson’s sold 105 from 117 Poll Dorset, White Suffolk and Ultra White rams offered.

“We were very, very happy with the clearance and the top of $8000 in the White Suffolks, that went to Naracoorte, and $4000 in the Poll Dorsets,” Tim said.

“It has not been an easy year for any of the people who turned up today, and I really appreciate it, and it is good to see there is still demand for rams and people who are continuing their breeding programs.

“We had good summer rain so no one expected it to turn off as harshly as it has, but at the end of the day I am glass half full and thankful for the amount of rain we have had.

“For many of us it is going to be a long haul, but farmers are showing resilience and commitment to the industry we are in.”

Tim Ferguson from Mallee Park stud.

Nutrien Birchip agent Patrick O’Reilly said towards the Victorian border, many clients “won’t get a header out, and that was before the frosts”.

“Some of the crops are gone, 95 per cent in some place, but up the road it is bit better.”

In his 40 years in the region, this was the least number of stock he had seen in the area.

A rise in super funds and corporate farms had “bought out at lot of the smaller parcels” and lead to more continuous cropping, Mr O’Reilly said.

“But the lamb market is still not bad and there are those who have stuck at it and they are doing all right (on prices),” he said.

In other sales, while some clearances have faltered, powerhouse studs such as South Australia’s Collinsville Merinos have produced stellar results selling 561 rams.