At the 18th annual Pinewalla stud Poll Dorset, White Suffolk and Dorset Horn ram sale at Crookwell on Monday 150 of the 152 lots offered by the Weir family sold to an overall average of $1134.
In the breakdown 100 Poll Dorest rams sold to an average of $1216 and a top of $2400 twice, 19 White Suffolk rams returned an average of $1055 and topped at $1600 and the 12 Dorset Horns averaged $825, selling to a high of $1000.
Elders auctioneer, Steve Ridley, Goulburn said the tough season highlighted the toughness of Pinewalla rams.
“They are a really good draft of honest rams, they have good length about them and hold themselves well in the pen,” Mr Ridley said.
The $2400 top-price Poll Dorest ram, a spring-drop weighing 106.5 kilograms, had an eye muscle depth (EMD) if 36.5 centimetres squared.
The ram, sired by Aberdeen 360, was purchased by long-term client Lindsay Picker of “Pleasant View”, Binda.
The other $2400 Poll Dorest ram, another spring-drop, had an EMD of 40.5cmsq and was sired by Aberdeen 164. Weighing 105kg, the ram was taken home by repeat buyer Ian Webster of Chatsworth Pastoral Company, Binda.
“The ram had great lines, great feet with excellent figures,” Mr Webster said.
“He will be perfect over our maiden crossbred ewes”
Mr Webster runs 3000 crossbred sheep as well as 300 head of Angus cattle at his 2000 hectare property.
“We will put the ram over our maiden ewes on Christmas eve, and non maiden ewes will be put with the ram in March,” he said. “This will ensure we have an early and late lambing which is perfect for the local market.”
Chatsworth Pastoral secured five head including the second highest price of $2300, a 106.5kg ram sired by Aberdeen 360.
The White Sulffolk top-price ram was knocked down to Charlie McGeechan of Woodville Pastoral Company, Binda, for $1600. Mr McGeechan also took home one of the top-price Dorset Horn rams for $1000.
Anthony Selmes, Franita Pastoral Company, Wheeo, also paid $1000 for a Dorset Horn as part of his 13 ram haul averaging $854.
New client to Pinewalla, Birkenburn Pastoral Company, Bungendore, purchasing through Elders Goulburn, put the floor in the sale taking home 13 mixed head to average $700 while Garry Kadwell, Kadwell and Co., Crookwell took home 10 to average $900.
Stud principal Kim Weir said it was pleasing to see both return clients as well as some prominent new buyers.
“Things were a bit slow given the harsh winter, but since its warmed up they have improved out of sight,” Mr Weir said.
“We pay particular attention on feet and shoulder settings and is has paid off.
“The rams represented reasonable value, catering for both ends of the market.”
The sale was conducted by Elders Goulburn with Steve Ridley and Ollie Mason sharing the rostrum duties.
