POLL DORSET rams sold at a top of $1500 five times at the Dixon family’s 36th Ashbank stud ram sale, Dubbo, on Wednesday.
A total of 76 rams from 100 offered, sold to average $1080 with 57 Autumn 2017 drop ram topping the sale to average $1109 and 19 spring 17 drop rams selling to $1350 and averaging $992.
Paying an average of $1300 for four rams including one of the five sale-toppers Ian and Andrew Roberts, “Wogogy”, Narromine returned for their 11th year to buy Ashbank rams because Ian Roberts says, They are good “all’round performers”.
The family breeds for the heavy lamb market and sell most second cross lambs through Dubbo saleyards. With the prolonged dry they will only join 500 first-cross ewes this year.
Bill Brown, “Wyoming”, Bedgerabong, a client of 20-plus years standing, returned to secure 12 rams while paying up to $1300 for a spring-drop and an aggregate average of $946.
Mr Brown ill be joining only 1800 first-cross ewes this year and markets his lambs at present as suckers through Forbes saleyards.
He said he liked Ashbank rams as they push the quality and quantity of the lambs.
“They do the job,” he said.
Bill Marks, “Rose Hill”, Wheo, returned for his 22nd sale with Crookwell agent, Greg Anderson and went home with seven rams, four autumn and three spring drops including the $1350 spring top-priced ram while paying a $1243 average.
Mr Marks said he had dropped ewe numbers and would be only joining 1000 first-cross ewes next January.
“These rams are excellent value for money and suit of business,” he said.
The sale was conducted by Landmark Milling Thomas, Dubbo, with Peter Thomas auctioneer; and Landmark Wilson Russ, Warren, and Ashley McGilchrist sharing auctioneering duties.