Paxton three-breed ram sale tops $7000 at Western Flat as averages lift
Summary
Close to 380 rams from three breeds went under the hammer at the Paxton ram sale at Western Flat, delivering lifts in average across all three offerings alongside a major announcement about the stud's future.
The terminal sires opened the afternoon. The Poll Dorsets recorded a full clearance of 97 rams at a $2125 average, a jump of $648 on the previous year, with the top price also well up at $3200 against $2200 in 2025. The White Suffolks followed with a full clearance of 102 rams at a $2006 average, up $620 on 2025, and joint top-priced rams at $3800.
In the Border Leicesters, 141 sold from 179 offered for a $2091 average, up $189, topping at $7000 for the opening lot. That ram qualified as a SuperBorder, measuring 154.79 on the BLX index, and was a twin sired by Cooinda 22135. It went to Killarney stud, Galong, New South Wales.
In the break between the White Suffolks and the Border Leicesters, the Paxton principal announced the stud would disperse its Poll Dorset and White Suffolk studs after decades of breeding. He described it as an extremely difficult decision made for better work-life balance, and confirmed there would be no change to the Border Leicester stud.
Key Data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total rams offered, sold | 378 offered, 340 sold |
| Overall top price |
$7000, Border Leicester |
| Poll Dorsets sold, top, average | 97 (all) to $3200 at $2125 |
| White Suffolks sold, top, average | 102 (all) to $3800 at $2006 |
|
Border Leicesters sold, top, average |
141 of 179 to $7000 at $2091 |
|
Average lifts by breed |
Up $648, $620 and $189 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What did the Paxton ram sale top at?
The sale topped at $7000 for the opening Border Leicester lot. The Poll Dorsets topped at $3200 and the White Suffolks at $3800. Close to 380 rams were offered across the three breeds.
What did the Poll Dorsets make?
All 97 Poll Dorsets sold for a full clearance at a $2125 average, a jump of $648 on the previous year. The top price was $3200, well up on the $2200 recorded in 2025. The top-priced ram was a May 2025-drop sired by Allendale 220037, carrying some of the catalogue's highest breeding values including 154.41 for Terminal Carcase Production and 146.28 for Lamb Eating Quality.
What did the White Suffolks make?
All 102 White Suffolks sold for a full clearance at a $2006 average, up $620 on 2025. Two rams shared the top price of $3800, demonstrating the depth of the catalogue. Both were sired by Days 230233, one a June 2025-drop and the other an August 2025-drop.
What were the Border Leicester results?
From 179 offered, 141 sold for a $2091 average, up $189 on the previous year. The top price of $7000 went to the opening lot, a twin sired by Cooinda 22135 that qualified as a SuperBorder at 154.79 on the BLX index. Killarney stud, Galong, New South Wales, was the buyer.
Is Paxton dispersing its studs?
The stud announced it will disperse its Poll Dorset and White Suffolk studs. It has bred Poll Dorsets for more than 40 years, starting on Allendale bloodlines, and White Suffolks since the beginning of the breed over 30 years ago. The principal said the decision was extremely difficult but necessary for better work-life balance.
Does the announcement affect the Border Leicesters?
No. The principal confirmed there would be no change to Paxton's Border Leicester stud. The Border Leicester offering was the largest of the three at 179 rams.
Who were the volume buyers?
A Western Flat buyer took 23 Border Leicesters to $1800, the largest single draft. Moyhall Pastoral, Naracoorte, took 20 Poll Dorsets to $2600, and Cortina Pastoral, Lucindale, 11 Poll Dorsets to $2200 after close to 30 years buying from the stud. Deepwater Trust, Naracoorte, took nine to $4000 and Oakalari, Pinnaroo, nine to $3200.
What were buyers targeting?
Kuchel Cropping, Bordertown, which took both $3800 White Suffolks, was lifting sheep numbers on the back of a positive market and targeted low birthweights, positive post-weaning fat depth and good eye muscle. The stud said it prides itself on structurally sound, well-muscled, easy-care paddock-reared rams with high growth rates.
