Ashbank auction gets off to roaring start as top prices, averages jump

Bidding got off to a blistering start at the Ashbank Poll Dorset and White Suffolk on-property sale, Dubbo, staying at higher levels until well into the sale.

During the auction, on Wednesday, September 10, 85 of 100 Poll Dorset rams sold to $4800, averaging $2630 - an average jump of $715 on 2024's already solid result - while 40 of 45 White Suffolks hit $3800, averaging $1565, up $300.

Included in this was 77 of 84 June/July 2024-drop Poll Dorsets, averaging $2719, and eight of 16 August/September 2024-drop Poll Dorsets, to $3600, averaging $1775.

In a sign of the strength of the sale - particularly the first half of the Poll Dorset run - within the first 40 rams sold, only 10 were at a price lower than the $3100 top price of 2024, with this first run averaging $3470.

However, there was still rams for each budget, with several later lots in the $1200 to $1800 bracket.

It was two returning bidders who paid the high prices on each breed.

Ben Whillock, Geurie, had previously bought at Ashbank and was returning after a break of about 10 years.

Among the five Poll Dorset rams he selected, for an average $3040, was the top price Poll Dorset at $4800.

The ram, tag 200, was a twin-born, June/July 2024-drop, with a +0.23 birthweight, +11.2 post-weaning weight, -0.1 fat, +1.8 eye muscle depth and a terminal carcase production index of +129.

Mr Whillock said he generally bid at the top end, and was looking for fast growth and high yield.

He, and wife Miranda, run about 1800 first-cross ewes, and were looking for Poll Dorset rams for the second-cross prime lamb market.

Also bidding at the top end was Victorian stud breeder Geoff Oliver, Englewood Park, Inverleigh, Vic, who bought the second-highest priced Poll Dorset, at $4400, as well as the highest priced White Suffolk at $3800, for use in his Poll Dorset and White Suffolk studs.

He had previously made the 2000-kilometre round trip to buy from Ashbank, but had not returned in a few years.

Mr Oliver said he came looking for some outcross genetics and picked what he considered to be the two best rams of each breed in the sale.

The Poll Dorset ram, tag 166, was a June/July 2024-drop with a +0.32 birthweight, +10.4 post-weaning weight, -0.1 fat, +0.8 eye muscle depth and +126 TCP.

"He was a solid ram, with plenty of muscle and an open face, who stood and walked well," he said.

The White Suffolk ram, tag 92, was a June/July 2024-drop with +0.28 birthweight, +13.9 post-weaning weight, -0.4 fat, +2.0 eye muscle depth and +136 TCP.

"He was a good, sound ram," Mr Oliver said.

He said he was looking for balanced rams with good meat, and these would fit into his breeding.

The bulk of the bidding contingent was made up of regular clients, with several buying in volume.

This included Shanks Farm, Dubbo, which took home nine Poll Dorset rams to $3800, averaging $3111.

Merri Merri, Gulargambone, selected eight Poll Dorsets to $2800, for an average $2212.

Also taking home eight rams was WM and EM Brown and Sons, Bedgerebong, bidding to $3100, averaging $1887, and Townsend Ag, Alectown, topping at $2100 for an average $1537.

In the White Suffolks, the volume buyer was WA and LF Rae, Toobeah, Qld, with 10 rams to $1700, averaging $1380.

Ashbank principal Darly Dixon said the strength of the sale reflected the results being seen in the lamb market.

The sale was conducted by Nutrien with Peter Thomas and Sam Thomas sharing the gavel.