Armdale Poll Dorset's 50th ram sale brings on-property record top price
History was made during the Golden Anniversary 50th annual on-property ram sale for Sam and Maddy Armstrong of Armdale Poll Dorsets, Marrar, on September 19.
Off the back of a tremendous year in the show ring, where the stud claimed supreme champion at major shows, the Armstrong family achieved a stud record price of $20,000.
Industry confidence was clear with moderate birthweight, high growth rams topping buyer's wish lists.
The sale achieved an overall average of $2640 with 96 of 100 rams sold.
In the breakdown, all 10 stud rams sold to a top of $20,000 to average $6120, while 86 of 90 flock rams sold to a top of $3800 to average $2236.
The top-priced ram was Armdale 240098, an April-2024 drop by Armdale Park 220200. He was purchased by Garry, Catherine and Chloe Armstrong of Armdale Park Poll Dorsets, Marrar.
"He's the type of sheep I'm breeding," Mr Armstrong said.
"I bred both the dam and the sire of this ram, so to buy back into these genetics we've been chasing is a great opportunity.
"I've seen this ram from the start as a lamb, he's ticked all the boxes the whole way through. His early growth and doing ability really stood out.
"He attracted me from an early stage with his great early growth and doing ability as we are trying to produce early maturing suckers."
The second top-priced ram was Armdale 240158, another April drop by Armdale Park 220200. He sold to Andrew and Caressa Seaman of Andbo Stud, Crookwell, for $10,000.
"The ram's outlook is outstanding," Mr Seaman said.
"He has a cracking skin, beautiful shoulders and has ticked all the boxes for our operation.
"We have been chasing the Armdale Park 220200 sire line which traces back to Tattykeel 200080.
"We aim for bigger, longer rams with correctness from front to back, especially to join over our maiden ewes."
Stud principal Sam Armstrong said it was a real privilege to continue the legacy that began at Armdale with his grandfather, Noel Armstrong.
"We are very humbled with the support from both new and exciting clients, and we are confident the rams will go out and add value to your operations," he said.
Mywurlie, Hay, was the leading volume buyer, purchasing 12 flock rams at an average of $1500.
N and M Shea, Fairview, Harden, were the next largest volume buyer, purchasing 10 flock rams at an average of $2060.
Two buyers purchased eight rams each, with those going to Kooroogong Pastoral Company, Harefield, averaging $2825, while the eight purchased by Quinn and Cruikshank, Merryvale, Ganmain, averaged $2138.
The auction was conducted by Elders and Nutrien, Wagga Wagga, with Peter Cabot and Will McLachlan sharing the rostrum/
