Structure and growth drive repeat buyers at the 44th annual Ashbank Poll Dorset and White Suffolk ram sale in Dubbo
Summary
The 44th annual Ashbank Poll Dorset and White Suffolk ram sale at Dubbo, New South Wales, on Wednesday, September 9, drew mainly repeat clients searching for rams with sound structure and strong growth. In the Poll Dorset offering, the stud sold 88 of 92 rams for an average of $2188, with the top price of $4200 reached twice. The first sale-topper, lot 18, went to an Arthurville-based second-cross lamb operation that trades as Little River Lambs, which also secured two further rams at $4000 each and another at $2100, valuing the rams' eye muscle, growth rates and structure and a preference for twins. The second $4200 ram was purchased by an agent acting for a Bedgerabong client. The White Suffolk rams sold less strongly, with 25 of 40 finding buyers to a high of $2000 and an average of $1316. The top-priced White Suffolk went to a Peak Hill family running Aurora Park, who took five rams in total for a draft average of $1460. The sale's biggest volume buyer secured 10 rams, topping at $1900 and averaging $1540, while a Peak Hill pastoral operation bought nine rams to a top of $2000 and an average of $1533. Rams headed to Warren, Peak Hill, Coonamble, Wellington, Trundle, Merrygoen and Narromine. The stud reported satisfaction with the Poll Dorset result and noted that some White Suffolk clients buy only every second year and did not need rams this season. Rams passed in during the auction were made available for private sale. Nutrien Livestock and HL Milling Thomas and Co conducted the sale.
Key Data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual sale number | 44th |
| Poll Dorsets sold | 88 of 92 |
| Poll Dorset top price | $4200 |
| Poll Dorset average | $2188 |
| White Suffolks sold | 25 of 40 |
| White Suffolk top price | $2000 |
| White Suffolk average | $1316 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What did the Ashbank Poll Dorsets average and top at?
The Poll Dorsets sold 88 of 92 rams for an average of $2188. The top price of $4200 was reached twice.
How did the White Suffolks perform?
The White Suffolks sold 25 of 40 rams to a high of $2000 and an average of $1316. The stud noted some White Suffolk clients buy only every second year and did not need rams this season.
Who bought the first top-priced Poll Dorset?
An Arthurville-based second-cross lamb operation, trading as Little River Lambs, bought the first $4200 ram, lot 18. It also secured two rams at $4000 each and another at $2100.
What were buyers prioritising at the sale?
Repeat clients were mainly looking for rams with sound structure and strong growth. Buyers cited eye muscle and growth rates, plus a preference for twin-bred rams.
Who was the sale's biggest volume buyer?
The largest volume buyer took 10 rams, topping at $1900 and averaging $1540. A Peak Hill pastoral operation bought nine rams to a top of $2000 and an average of $1533.
Where did the rams go?
Rams were sold to buyers from Warren, Peak Hill, Coonamble, Wellington, Trundle, Merrygoen and Narromine. Support came mainly from repeat clients, with a few new faces.
What happened to rams that did not sell?
Rams passed in during the auction were made available for private sale afterward.
Which agents conducted the sale?
The sale was conducted by Nutrien Livestock and HL Milling Thomas and Co. It was the stud's 44th annual ram sale.
