Wyoming, Montana host successful ram sales
During the week beginning Sept. 9, both Wyoming and Montana held their respective state ram sales, offering some of the best genetics in the West.
96th Wyoming State Ram Sale
The 96th Wyoming State Ram Sale was held on Sept. 9-10 at the Wyoming State Fairgrounds in Douglas, preceded by a free reception the day before.
The sale offered 311 rams, selling 252 head for an average of $999 per head and grossing a total of $251,625.
Ninety-two of the 252 head sold were Rambouillet rams, which averaged $1,060 per head, while 53 head of Targhee rams averaged $1,037 and 29 Suffolk rams sold for an average of $1,017 per head.
Additionally, 30 head of Suffolk-Hampshire cross lambs averaged $1,035, while 20 head of crossbred yearlings averaged $805 per head.
Borcher Sheep Company and the Von Krosigk family donated a ewe and a brand to raise money for the Wyoming Wool Growers Association. The brand brought $1,000, and the ewe was sold for $850.
JD Atkinson also donated two livestock guardian puppies to raise money for Wyoming ranches affected by recent fires.
11th Annual Montana Ewe Sale
On Sept. 11-12, the Montana Wool Growers Association (MWGA) hosted their annual Montana Ram and Ewe Sale at the Eastern Montana Fairgrounds in Miles City, Mont.
The sale kicked off with the 11th Annual Montana Ewe Sale on Sept. 11, selling a total of 478 ewes for an overall average of $354 per head. The sale grossed $169,155.
John and Betty Sampsel of Hughes Newford Company in Stanford, Mont. donated a yearling Targhee ewe at the beginning of the sale. Proceeds made from the sale were collected to support legislative efforts, and together 10 donors raised $6,925 for the cause.
During the sale, five head of black-faced ewe lambs averaged $650 per head. White-faced yearling ewes averaged $351 on 473 head.
Pens of 10 averaged $408 per head, pens of 20 averaged $383 per head and off-site lots averaged $290 per head.
The Roeder family of Montana Sheep Company in Fairfield, Mont. topped the sale with 10 head of Targhee ewes which sold for $700 per head to Chip Dye of Alzada, Mont., and the volume buyer was Bill Schaefer of Hoven, S.D.
99th Montana Ram Sale
On Sept. 12, MWGA held the 99th Annual Montana Ram Sale, offering 260 bucks for an overall average of $1,525 per head and a total of $396,600.
At the beginning of the sale, Garrett and Katie Harrington of Rocking ‘H Welding donated two panels and a gate, which were auctioned off to generate funds for ranchers affected by the Remington Fire. Together, 25 donors raised $5,685.
Thirty-nine black-faced rams averaged $924 per head. A Suffolk ram consigned by Dawe Suffolks of Big Timber, Mont. was the high-selling black-faced ram, going for $2,700 to Mike Hoggan of Valier, Mont.
Rambouillet bucks averaged $1,233 on 48 head, and a pen of two consigned by Helle Rambouillet of Dillion, Mont. topped the sale. They were purchased for $2,100. each by Peter Wirtzfield.
A total of 170 Targhee rams sold for an average of $1,765 per head. The high-selling Targhee ram was consigned by Sam Ortmann of Wolf Point, Mont. and sold to Turner Sheep Company of Wyoming for $7,500. This was also the overall top-selling ram in the entire sale.
Additionally, three head of South African Meat Merino cross bucks were offered by the Montana Ag Experiment Station of Bozeman, Mont. The three rams averaged $400 per head and the top seller brought $600.
“The MWGA would like to extend a big thank you to all buyers and bidders of both sales,” wrote MWGA in a Sept. 13 press release. “Thank you to Lewistown, Inc. for clerking and sale management and Sam Fraser of Frontier Productions, LLC for the online sale hosting. Thank you to our Auctioneers Kyle Shobe and Cole Morrison for another year of great teamwork from the auction block.”
Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
