Show & Sale News

Show & Sale News

Illinois Ram Test Sale Posts Record High

The recent Illinois Ram Test Sale at Western Illinois University was hot ? posting a record-high average as well as several other record prices.

?The sale prices were gratifying for all of the breeders who entered good lambs ? and especially for those who have stayed with the program over the years ? always bringing us their top rams,? said John Carlson, an WIU agriculture professor and manager of the Illinois Ram Test. ?The sheep industry is in an upswing right now, with great lamb prices and a lot of optimism in the industry. We?re all hoping that the change in the lamb and wool industry will continue and that next year?s test and sale will be even better.?

• A new record individual price of $1,250 was set on a Suffolk ram consigned by Michael Carlson of Macomb. Warren Kennedy of Greenville, a long-time supporter of the ram testing program, purchased the ram.
• Prices for Suffolks were extremely strong, with 11 Suffolk rams averaging $477, a Suffolk breed average record.
• A Hampshire ram from Bob Kendrick of Table Grove set a new Hampshire record sale price of $475, going to Jeff Hatch of Good Hope. The five Hampshire rams averaged $290.
• The top-selling Dorset brought $350. The ram was consigned by Carrie Francis of Wilmington and sold to William Ransley of Verona. The five Dorsets averaged $230.
• JCC Polypays of Macomb had the high-selling Polypay at $325, going to Rogers Farms of Bishop Hill. The two Polypay rams averaged $263.
• Another high point of the sale was strong demand for good quality ewe lambs. A record price on a pen of three ewe lambs was set at $260 per head. The ewe lambs were consigned by Steve Ulrich of Eureka and were purchased by Cherry Hill Farm.
• The 27 ewe lambs in the sale averaged $172, which is a record average for ewe lambs in this sale.

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