Friday 18th January was one of the hottest days this summer and at Gulgong it was no exception with temperatures reported from 41C to 43C. So it was a great achievement that 15 Wiltipoll vendors arrived at Gulgong with 96 lots of sheep for sale.
While there were some great quality sheep for sale it was a very quiet market which may have been due to heat and/or sheep markets generally and land holders experiencing depleting feed supplies.
In saying that, the top ram bred by Peter and Judy Colless (pictured) from Carthona, Wingham, sold for $1700 and was only $200 down on the top price last year. The buyers were Bastian and Erica Seidel (pictured), Misima Stud, Tasmania. Peter and Judy Colless have consistently topped the ram sale each year since the NSW/QLD Wiltipoll combined breeders sale has been running.
The second top ram was sold by a new breeder to the sale this year; Coralie Moss of Ironbark Tamworth for $1100. It was also purchased by Bastian and Erica present at the sale from Tasmania.
The average ram price this year was $782.
The top ewe was sold by Robert Miller of Allambie, Dubbo for $425 to Jon Peel and Daniele Newton of Oakey, Windeyer. Robert Miller also sold 2 more ewes for $400 as did Gordon and Genevieve Starr of Eshcol, Dalton and Paul Brady of Gunhurst, ACT also sold a ewe for $400. This year the ewes averaged $378.
Buyers were from Tasmania and NSW and Diane Bak, an Australian Wiltipoll committee member from South Australia was on hand for support.
Michael Anderson the auctioneer and the Landmark crew have been supporting this sale now for four years and were helpful as always.