Ribbon-winning ram claims record-price accolade at Cranbrook Poll Dorsets

A ram that impressed in the showring has also impressed those judges outside the rostrum at the Cranbrook Poll Dorset on-property sale at Canowindra.

During the sale, on Thursday, September 4, bidding set a new high for the stud, at $15,500, while the 51 of 54 rams sold under the hammer for a $3078 average - a $600 jump on 2024.

The 138-kilogram, April 2024-drop, record-breaking ram, Cranbrook 240014, was born and reared as a triplet and had measurements of 55 millimetres for eye muscle depth, 47 centimetres squared for eye muscle area and 8mm fat depth.

By Tattykeel 884-22, out of Cranbrook 190044, the top-price ram had previously been judged champion ram and supreme Poll Dorset exhibits at the Bathurst, Blayney and Bedgerebong shows, came first in his performance class at the Sydney Royal, NSW Sheep Show and NSW Dorset Championships, and was senior champion ram and grand champion ram at the NSW Dorset Championships Cowra.

But it was the judges sitting ringside that mattered at the auction, with bidding starting at $5000 and coming from throughout the crowd before Peter Sturgiss, Kooradale, Koorawatha, placed the final, $15,500 bid.

Mr Sturgiss had also bought the top price ram in 2024 - another record result at $15,250 - in his first time buying at Cranbrook.

He said this ram stood out with such a big eye muscle area despite being a triplet.

Mr Sturgiss said he was not a "figure chaser", but selected this ram on "type", saying the lambs would be a standout.

The Sturgiss family has been breeding Poll Dorset rams for about 12 to 13 years, predominantly for their own use, but recently registered their 250-head ewe flock as a stud.

Mr Sturgiss said they would be joining this ram with a select group of ewes to produce rams for themselves and to sell the surplus.

Cranbrook's Phil Balcombe said the top price ram was the "perfect Dorset type", moderate and quick maturing, with "legs in each corner".

Jo Balcombe said the ram had been a standout from a young age.

"The ewe weaned about 110kg of lamb, so for him to be a triplet and be a standout from a young is something to be seen to be believed," she said.

Even with the record high, there was also plenty of strength throughout the sale with less than 10 rams sold for less than $2000, while the three passed-in lots at the end of the sale also snapped up quickly post-sale.

The offering included 31, 18-month-old rams, which sold for an average $3617 while 21 yearling rams sold to $3500 and averaged $2310.

The second highest price paid was $5600 for twin-born Cranbrook 240071, also by Tattykeel 220884, out of Cranbrook 180132.

The 138.5kg, April 2024-drop, with a 52mmEMD, 43cm2 EMA and 8.5mm fat, was bought by Bailey Ag.

The sale's volume bidder was ER and RE Pengilley, Forbes, which picked up 10 rams to $3500, averaging $2900.

Also buying in bulk was BJ and SA Spackman, Rosemont, Bendick Murrell, with six rams to $3300, averaging $2117.

Turners, Mahonga Park, Euabalong West, bought five rams to $3000, averaging $2740, while SD and M Brown, Bedgerabong, also bought five to $3400, averaging $3220.

Ms Balcombe said they were "over the moon" with the sale, given the new top price and the strength throughout.

The sale was conducted by Kevin Miller, Whitty, Lennon & Co, with Luke Whitty the auctioneer.