Shellal Poll Dorset and Southdown sale tops $6000 at Hawkesdale for a $1966 average
Summary
The Shellal Poll Dorset and Southdown stud celebrated its 60th year in operation with a fitting end to its ram sale, its Poll Dorset rams averaging $1966 after the stud was founded in 1966.
There was a total clearance of 127 Poll Dorset rams at Tuesday's on-property sale at Hawkesdale, with three reaching the breed top price of $3200 at a $1966 average. The momentum extended into the Southdowns, where 35 of 40 rams sold to a top price of $6000 at a $1694 average.
The stud principal said the numerical coincidence was a fitting nod to the milestone sale, and read the result as a sign of confidence in the genetics given the number of return buyers. Coming off last year's drought and with producers increasing ewe and lamb numbers, she said many clients had already rebuilt their ewe base and now needed rams to join.
The top-priced $6000 Southdown ram, lot 132, Shellal 250171, was bought by Chasm Park Southdown stud, Stowport, Tasmania. He recorded a terminal carcase production index of 117, a post-weaning eye muscle depth of 2.03 and sat in the top 10 per cent for intramuscular fat at 0.19.
Key Data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Poll Dorsets sold, average |
127 (all) at $1966 |
|
Poll Dorset top price |
$3200, three times |
| Southdowns sold, top, average | 35 of 40 to $6000 at $1694 |
| Overall top price |
$6000, Southdown |
| Top Southdown terminal carcase production | 117 |
|
Top Southdown intramuscular fat |
0.19, top 10 per cent |
| Largest draft | 10 rams |
|
Year founded |
1966, 60th year |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What did the Shellal ram sale top at?
The sale topped at $6000 for a Southdown, lot 132. The Poll Dorsets topped separately at $3200, a price reached three times. The Poll Dorsets averaged $1966 and the Southdowns $1694.
What was significant about the $1966 average?
The stud was founded in 1966 and the sale marked its 60th year in operation. The Poll Dorset average of $1966 matched the founding year. The stud principal called the coincidence a fitting nod to the milestone.
Who bought the top-priced ram?
Chasm Park Southdown stud, Stowport, Tasmania, paid $6000 for lot 132. It was the buyer's first ram purchase from the stud, having bought ewes previously. He plans to join the ram to his stud Southdown ewes in March, and runs the stud with the next generation involved to encourage young people into the industry.
Why did that ram appeal?
The buyer cited the ram's overall capacity, muscling, hindquarter and pedigree. A ram on the dam side of the pedigree he had used previously with great results was a major drawcard. He said he had been chasing more punch and carcase in his sheep and that the ram had exceptional genetic figures.
Why did the Poll Dorsets clear fully?
The stud principal attributed the complete clearance to the breed's reputation for producing faster-finishing lambs. Most of the top-priced Poll Dorsets are going over first-cross ewes to produce prime lambs, while the Southdowns are heading into composite flocks.
Who bought the top Poll Dorset rams?
Three rams shared the $3200 breed top. Lot 1 went to Carnoah Pastoral Company, Inverleigh, to be joined to Border Leicester and Merino ewes for extra length in their prime lambs. Lot 2 went to Gledfield Ag, Ararat, for a flock of 1500 first-cross ewes in November, and lot 7 to a Ballarat buyer.
What were those rams' figures?
Lot 1 was described as tall and upstanding and sat in the top 5 per cent of the breed for post-weaning fat. Lot 2 was described as a solid ram and ranked in the top 5 per cent for weaning weight, post-weaning weight and lean meat yield. Lot 7's dam was sired by Shellal Elvis through artificial insemination, a ram that won supreme exhibit at Sheepvention in 2004 and was reserve champion at Bendigo the same year.
Who were the volume buyers?
Nutrien Casterton bought 10 rams on behalf of Waterloo Ag, Mount Gambier, South Australia. The selling agent said the sale drew broad support across western Victoria, strong locally and through to Ballarat, Casterton, Avoca and Ararat, driven by six decades of buyer loyalty.
