High-figured Border Leicesters drive the New Armatree ram sale to a $7200 top and $2141 average at Armatree
Summary
Stud and commercial buyers competed strongly at the New Armatree ram sale at Armatree, where a catalogue featuring some of the highest-figured Border Leicesters in the country cleared 99 of 109 rams during the auction to a $7200 top price and a $2141 average, with a further seven rams selling shortly afterwards. The top price came in lot one, a twin-born ram bound for stud duties with a Border Leicester stud at Ganmain. The sale-topper carried figures in the top 1 to 5 per cent, including a +2.54 eye muscle depth, +3.1 fat, +0.31 weaning rate, +0.45 intramuscular fat, -0.58 shearforce and +3.1 dressing percentage, plus a +13.74 post-weaning weight in the top 10pc and a Border Leicester index of +179.5, in the top 1pc for the breed. A South Australian stud secured three rams early, including the second-highest at $5600, a twin with a +16.92 post-weaning weight and +2.85 dressing percentage, both in the top 5pc. Another new stud sire sold for $5200. Commercial interest was also strong, with one buyer taking 20 rams to a $2000 top and a $1694 average, another 11 rams to $3200 averaging $2345, and a further seven rams to $4200 averaging $2886. Online bidding through AuctionsPlus added 13 rams at up to $2000. Across the full catalogue the 109 rams averaged a 165.7 Border Leicester index, in the top 5pc, with eating-quality data collected since 2014. The sale was conducted by Halcroft & Bennett and Tooraweenah Livestock & Property.
Key Data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Top price | $7200 |
| Average price | $2141 |
| Rams sold at auction | 99 of 109 |
| Second-highest price | $5600 |
| Top ram Border Leicester index | +179.5 (top 1pc) |
| Catalogue average BLX | 165.7 (top 5pc) |
| Additional rams sold after sale | 7 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What was the top price at the 2026 New Armatree ram sale?
The top price was $7200, achieved in lot one for a twin-born ram. It headed to stud duties with a Border Leicester stud at Ganmain.
How many rams sold and at what average?
The sale cleared 99 of 109 rams during the auction, at a $2141 average. A further seven rams sold shortly after the auction concluded.
What made the top-priced ram stand out?
The ram carried figures in the top 1 to 5 per cent, including a +2.54 eye muscle depth, +0.31 weaning rate and +3.1 dressing percentage. It also had a Border Leicester index of +179.5, in the top 1pc for the breed.
What was the second-highest priced ram?
The second-highest ram made $5600 and went to a South Australian stud. It had a +16.92 post-weaning weight and +2.85 dressing percentage, both in the top 5pc.
How strong was commercial demand?
Commercial interest was solid, with one buyer taking 20 rams to a $2000 top and a $1694 average. Others secured 11 rams averaging $2345 and seven rams averaging $2886.
What was the catalogue's overall genetic standing?
Across the sale, the 109 rams averaged a 165.7 Border Leicester index, in the top 5pc for the breed. Eating-quality data such as intramuscular fat, shearforce and dressing percentage has been collected since 2014.
Who conducted the sale?
The sale was conducted by Halcroft & Bennett and Tooraweenah Livestock & Property. AuctionsPlus provided the online interface.
