Chrome Sheep Studs ram sale tops $5200 at Hamilton for $2982 average
Summary
Strong competition from return clients, new buyers and agents delivered a positive result at the 18th annual Chrome Sheep Studs on-property spring ram sale at Hamilton. In total, 497 of the 513 rams offered sold for a 97 per cent clearance at an average of $2982, supported by 103 registered bidders from across western Victoria and south-east South Australia.
The Chromedale maternal composite offering was the standout, achieving a 100 per cent clearance with a top price of $5200 reached seven times and an average of $4170, which was $1400 higher than the previous year.
The terminal offering also produced a strong result, with a top price of $2000 reached 12 times. The stud's largest-ever offering of ICON 25 rams achieved a full clearance, and the ICON Southie offering also cleared completely, topping at $1800. The 88 ICON Poll Dorset rams recorded an 82 per cent clearance with a top price of $2000.
Shand Ag, Langkoop, paid the $5200 top price and purchased 21 Chromedale rams at a $4476 average, having bought from the stud for more than 10 years while running about 8000 self-replacing composite ewes. Free to Fly was the largest buyer with 40 rams, comprising 30 Chromedales at a $3800 average and 10 ICON Southies at $1250. Capital Livestock & Property, Hamilton, conducted the sale.
Key Data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Rams offered, sold | 513 offered, 497 sold |
| Clearance rate | 97 per cent |
| Overall average | $2982 |
| Chromedale top price, reached seven times | $5200 |
| Chromedale average | $4170 |
| Rise on last year's Chromedale average | $1400 |
| ICON Poll Dorset clearance | 82 per cent |
| Registered bidders | 103 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What did the Chrome Sheep Studs ram sale top at?
The Chromedale maternal composite offering topped at $5200, reached seven times. The terminal offering topped at $2000, reached 12 times. The overall sale average was $2982.
How many rams sold?
In total 497 of the 513 rams offered sold, a 97 per cent clearance. There were 103 registered bidders from across western Victoria and south-east South Australia.
What did the Chromedale offering make?
The Chromedale maternal composite offering achieved a 100 per cent clearance at an average of $4170, with a top of $5200 reached seven times. That average was $1400 higher than the previous year. These are section results, separate from the $2982 overall average.
How did the terminal offerings perform?
The largest-ever offering of ICON 25 rams achieved a full clearance, as did the ICON Southie offering, which topped at $1800. The 88 ICON Poll Dorset rams recorded an 82 per cent clearance with a top price of $2000.
Who were the volume buyers?
Free to Fly was the largest buyer with 40 rams, comprising 30 Chromedales at a $3800 average and 10 ICON Southies at $1250. Shand Ag, Langkoop, took 21 Chromedale rams at $4476, a Glenthompson buyer 21 ICON 25 rams at $1100, and Jakabul, Apsley, 20 rams across two breeds.
Why is demand for maternal genetics strong?
The stud attributed the result to the high cost of replacement ewes alongside reduced ram buying the previous year on the back of a dry season and lower ewe numbers. With most producers having had a better season and looking to build ewe flocks, breeding replacements has become more attractive than buying them.
What did buyers value in the offering?
The stud reported feedback on the evenness of the Chromedale draft, which allowed buyers to select on the data they wanted while still securing a uniform line of sheep. One volume buyer cited medium-framed, efficient sheep with high fertility and strong growth rates.
What traits do buyers select for?
One long-term buyer assesses rams both visually and on Australian Sheep Breeding Values, looking closely at post-weaning weight, post-weaning fat depth and fertility indexes while selecting for a moderate birth weight. They intentionally select for positive post-weaning fat depth, citing lamb survival as a major profit driver.
