Gooramma Poll Dorset's top rams to studs: full clearance amid increased numbers

An increased offering has paid off for Galong's Gooramma Poll Dorsets, with the stud recording a full clearance as rams sold both locally and interstate at the annual on-property sale on September 19.

All 161 rams sold to a $22,000 top to average $2776, with 30 stud rams averaging $5583.

The top-priced ram, Gooramma 240131, was knocked down to Charlie Coddington, Greywood Poll Dorsets, Wambangalang, with Ridgehaven Poll Dorsets, Cudal, and Karrawarra Pastoral, Wantabadgery, buying semen shares.

The ram was described in the catalogue as being the number one Poll Dorset ram in Australia for intramuscular fat (IMF) and shear force.

The ram weighed 145 kilograms with 60 millimetres eye muscle depth (EMD) and 9mm fat.

By the $41,000 influential sire, Valma Lyle 40-2020, whose progeny topped both the 2023 and 2024 sales, the ram recorded +8.83 weaning weight (WWT), +13.8 post-weaning weight (PWT), +2.79 post-weaning eye muscle depth (PEMD) and a terminal carcase production index of 158.

Mr Coddington said he had bought from Gooramma previously and couldn't have been happier.

He purchased his stud five years ago and ran about 150 ewes, although he was in the process of building up numbers.

Mr Coddington praised the work carried out by the Corcoran family and said he favoured the ram for his IMF and eating quality.

"For a small stud he'll help get me in front a fair bit with the genetics and the ASBVs," he said.

"The Gooramma type, they're thick right through and spit out an unreal sucker.

"If you want good genetics you've got to pay for it, and I trust the Gooramma rams."

The second top-priced ram at $19,000 sold to return buyer Chris Marwick, Marapana Poll Dorsets, Mumballup, WA.

The ram, also by Valma Lyle, was born a twin and had been used in the stud.

Mr Marwick has been buying Gooramma rams for several years but it was his first time attending the sale in person.

He favoured the ram for his top 10 per cent IMF and his length. The sire would be used in his stud, which is based on Gooramma and Valma bloodlines and has about 170 ewes.

While there was no real premium for IMF in the WA market, he believed it was only a matter of time before it was rewarded.

Esther Glasgow of Estjam Poll Dorsets, Woolsthorpe, Vic, paid $11,000 in partnership with New Zealand-based Cairnlea Poll Dorsets and Wilkins Farming, for Gooramma 240365, by Gooramma 210025.

The ram, 139kg, had been used in the stud and scanned 62.9 square centimetres eye muscle area, along with 71mm EMD and 10mm fat.

He also ranked in the top 10pc for IMF with +0.28, along with +9.48 WWT and +13.85 PWT.

Ms Glasgow said the ram was a complete package, with thickness and balance combined with good genetics.

"This is probably our fifth Gooramma ram we've bought," she said.

"We're very happy with the progeny.

"We'd like our rams to look similar to Gooramma's one day - thickness, positive fat and early maturing."

Glenwood Park Poll Dorsets, Crookwell, paid $9000 for Gooramma 240197, 146kg, also by Gooramma 210025.

The ram had been used in the stud and had an IMF of +0.33.

New buyer Shawn Rainbow, Timbie Aggregation, Yeoval, selected a draft of 17 rams averaging $2044.

His operation runs about 4000 Merino ewes joined to Poll Dorset rams. The lambs are grown to store weights then sold through Carcoar, Forbes and Dubbo.

"I had to watch my birthweight - I wanted a happy medium and didn't want them too big," he said.

"And for me they've really got to grow, so weaning weight and post-weaning weight are big drivers for me.

"If they had positive fat and muscle after that, then great."

Mr Rainbow was put onto the Gooramma rams by his agent, Brad Wilson of Nutrien. He said the enthusiasm and passion from the Corcoran family, combined with the quality of the sheep, was particularly appealing.

Other buyers included Hardie Pastoral, Cootamundra, return clients who selected a draft of six averaging $2500.

JW Parkman and Co, Boorowa, selected seven rams to average $3214.

James Corcoran Jnr, Gooramma, said it was a good result, especially considering they had increased the catalogue by 30 rams.

"There were a lot of new clients and that allowed them to get a taste of the Gooramma genetics, which I think is a very sustainable approach," he said.

"The end goal for our clients, is we're really trying to value add. If they buy a Gooramma ram, there's options - the name is recognised.

"Now we're going to another level with the eating quality side of it and trying to get recognition of what we're trying to do."

IMF and growth were particularly sought after.

"The reality is there's a golden number of 52kg in this area and we've got to get there as quickly as we can. A lot of the genetics today will do that very easily," he said.

The sale was conducted by Bassingthwaighte Livestock and Property Marketing and Nutrien, with Lachlan Bassingthwaighte, Rick Power and Charlie Croker the auctioneers.

AuctionsPlus provided the online interface.