After post-poning its stage one stud dispersal due to the heat wave last week, Kentish Downs Poll Dorset stud held its sale on-property at Holbrook on January 20.
Stud principals Rob and Jody Martin said it was “an end of an era” when they sold 514 ewes of the 754 on offer, to average $404 and top at $3900.
Of this, 178 elite ewes were snapped up by buyers for a $599 average and $3900 top, while 336 ewes were sold to a $800 top and $285 average.
South Australian buyers Stephen, Kathy and Samantha Kelly, from Zacman Poll Dorsets, Binnum, secured the $3900 sale-topper, Kentish Downs 160301 by Kennedy Creek 120181.
The high-selling twin-born ewe was in hot demand as she was the highest Lambplan figured ewe in the draft, said stud owner Mr Martin.
It had a birthweight figure of 0.7, weaning weight of 11.7, post weaning weight of 17.7, and indexes of 212 for Carcase Plus and 114.9 for Lamb 2020.
Paying on average $1658, the Kelly family took home three ewes in total.
Tom Bull from Lambpro, Holbrook, purchased the $1600 second top-priced ewe, Kentish Downs 160422 by Illfracombe 150172, and the $1300 third top-priced ewe Kentish Downs 160266.
Karl Sinclair from Kinsale Poll Dorsets, Orange, was the largest volume buying taking home a draft of 139 ewes for a $266 average.
Mr Sinclair’s selections included 16 elite ewes that he paid a top price of $650 for.
RL. and SA. Cooper, Marulan, were other significant purchasers that snapped up 64 ewes for an average of $338, while Smithton Farms at Glencoe, put together a line of 50 head and averaged $330 across their selections.
Victorian major buyers included; Carl Hausler purchased 23 for a $552 average, Janmac Pastoral Company, purchased 40 ewes for a $1000 top and $526 average, EJ. and KJ. Price, bought 32 for a $458 average and $900 top, ID. and SK. James, also secured 32 for a $417 average and $800 top, and KW. and M. Stark, who bought 30 head and averaged $305.
Glasser Total Sales Management conducted the sale.
Stage two of the stud dispersal is scheduled to take place on September 25, unless the property is sold prior.