Interstate buyers dominated the top-end of the 54th annual ram sale for Aberdeen Poll Dorset stud, Henty, where vendors, Simon and Melissa Male, achieved a total clearance of 170 stud and flock Poll Dorset rams to average $2099.
The 16 stud rams among the draft averaged $7766.
Bids came in thick and fast to secure the top-priced ram which topped the sale at $22,000 and was purchased by first-time buyers Ian and Corey Sutherland, Deloraine Downs Poll Dorset stud, Konongwootong, Victoria, with Mick McMeel, JM Ellis and Company, Hamilton, Vic, doing their bidding.
The sale-topping ram tipped the scales at 120 kilograms and was ranked in the the top one per cent for weaning weight (wwt) at +13.4, post weaning (Pwwt) at +19.4 and CarcasePlus at +229 and top 20 pc for muscle.
Mr Sutherland said the way in which the ram’s excellent conformation complemented its outstanding figures made for an attractive package.
“His overall correctness, good growth, smooth stream-line (body) stood out for us,” Mr Sutherland said.
Second top-priced ram in the stud offering at $17,000 was a son of Valma 97-15, purchased by Chrome Sheep Studs, Hamilton, Vic, through Kerr and Company Livestock, Hamilton, that also sat in the top 1pc for WWT, PWWT and CarcasePlus.
Ulandi Poll Dorsets, Kapunda, South Australia, through Elders Roseworthy, SA, paid the $13,000 third top-priced stud ram.
Continuing with stud purchases, Rowallan Poll Dorsets, Crowther, bought two new stud sires securing a son of Aberdeen 5-15 for $11,000, and a son of Valma 97-15 for $8000.
Of the 154 spring-drop rams offered, all sold to a top of $3500, three times, to average $1511.
The McRorie family, Yerong Creek, and Doug Constance, Cooma, through Elders Cooma, bought the top-priced rams in this category.
Local prime lamb producers were also intent on filling their ram orders.
This included volume buyer Ben Robilliard, Robilliard Ag Pty Ltd, Old Junee, putting together a draft of 41 rams to a top of $2200, twice, to average $1387.
“We have been returning to Aberdeen for 10 years for their great line of quality rams with figures to match,” Mr Robilliard said.
“We were looking at their high growth rate, eye muscle and great structure.”
Okeview Pastoral Company, Wantabadgery, purchased 26 rams to average $1519 and added a further 10 rams immediately post auction to fulfill their requirements.
Elamville Pty Ltd, Yerong Creek, secured 14 rams to average $1350.
The sale was settled by Riverina Livestock Agents, Wagga Wagga, with James Tierney, and guest auctioneer Michael Glasser, GTSM, Vic, taking the bids.
