Ridgehaven Poll Dorsets achieves a perfect 180-head clearance at Cudal as buyers chase carcase-focused ram genetics
Summary
Adding more rams to the catalogue paid off for Ridgehaven Poll Dorsets, whose annual sale at Cudal on September 10 achieved a perfect clearance of all 180 head. With 30 more rams offered than the previous year, every lot found a home, selling to a top of $5000 for an average of $2580. The top-priced ram, lot 22, Ridgehaven 250066, was secured online on account of Yarraman Pastoral Co at Bigga, with the same buyer also taking lot 21 at $3500. The single-born, April 2025-drop ram was chosen for its carcase quality, boasting a Terminal Carcase Production figure of 148.68 and a lamb eating quality score of 146.23, both high index scores. At 144 kilograms he carried exceptional raw weight for a 16-month-old, alongside a birth weight of 0.59, a weaning weight of 11.02 and a post-weaning weight of 15.99. A first-year operation at Conargo emerged as a significant volume buyer, purchasing 13 rams to a top of $3200 and an average of $2707. A long-standing local buyer at Eugowra took seven rams for an average of $3214, having attended the sale for more than 25 years. Buyers spanned from Toowoomba in Queensland to Gundagai and as far west as Lake Cargelligo, with more than 40 registered bidders. Alongside the 180 rams, 19 ewes were offered and sold, and the annual sale grossed $483,200. The result reflected the value lamb producers place on quality ram genetics and growing confidence in the future of the lamb industry.
Key Data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Rams sold | 180 (100% clearance) |
| Rams offered vs last year | 30 more |
| Average price | $2580 |
| Top price | $5000 |
| Top ram TCP / LEQ | 148.68 / 146.23 |
| Top ram weight | 144 kg (16 months) |
| Ewes sold | 19 |
| Total sale gross | $483,200 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Did the Ridgehaven sale achieve a full clearance?
Yes, all 180 rams sold for a 100 per cent clearance. The stud offered 30 more rams than the previous year, and every lot found a home.
What were the top price and average?
The sale reached a top of $5000 and averaged $2580. The annual sale grossed $483,200, including 19 ewes sold alongside the rams.
What made the top-priced ram stand out?
Lot 22 recorded a Terminal Carcase Production figure of 148.68 and a lamb eating quality score of 146.23, both high index scores. At 144 kilograms it also carried exceptional raw weight for a 16-month-old.
What were the growth figures of the top ram?
The April 2025-drop ram had a birth weight of 0.59, a weaning weight of 11.02 and a post-weaning weight of 15.99. These pointed to efficient growth markers.
How many buyers took part?
More than 40 registered buyers took part, with online bidding available. Buyers spanned from Toowoomba in Queensland to Gundagai and as far west as Lake Cargelligo.
Who were the notable volume buyers?
A first-year operation at Conargo bought 13 rams to a top of $3200 and an average of $2707. A long-standing local buyer at Eugowra took seven rams averaging $3214.
What did the sale reflect about the lamb industry?
The result reflected the value lamb producers place on quality ram genetics and selecting the right genetics for each business. It also pointed to confidence in the future of the lamb industry.
