Two of Newbold's top price Poll Dorset rams go to Fleurieu Peninsula stud

The Newbold stud, Gawler River, sold to a top of $3000 multiple times at their on-property sale at Gawler River on Friday.

Of the Poll Dorsets, 46 rams sold out of 82 offered, to a top of $3000 four times, and average of $1284.

Of the White Suffolks, 47 rams sold out of 69 offered, making a high of $1600 twice and average of $1068.

Fellow Poll Dorset breeder Brenton Lush, Corriedale Hills, Inman Valley, bought two of the top price $3000 rams to go into his stud.

The first $3000 ram he bought was a solid hindquartered sire that measured in the top 5 per cent of terminal sires for weaning weight at 12.6.

It also measured in the top 10pc for intramuscular fat, lamb eating quality and terminal carcase production, as well as the top 20pc for post-weaning weight.

The other $3000 ram Mr Lush bought was a long, upstanding ram that came third in the pen of three rams class at the Royal Adelaide Show. It measured in the top 20pc for weaning weight.

Mr Lush is a regular buyer at Newbold.

"Every second ram I buy is from here," he said.

"They've got a great mix of genetics that helps me to keep up to date with the industry and genetics management."

Mr Lush said it was strong intramuscular fat and lamb-eating qualities that he was looking for in particular when choosing his rams.

A Western Australian buyer bidding through AuctionsPlus bought another $3000 Poll Dorset ram, that ranked in the top 10pc of terminal carcase production and top 20pc for PWWT.

Eldra Pastoral, Naracoorte, bought the other $3000 Poll Dorset ram.

Volume buyers on the Poll Dorsets included WB&SJ Hurn, Angaston, securing 11 rams to $2000, averaging $1263, and WA&WB Pearce, Parawa, with 10 rams, all at $800.

Looking at the White Suffolks, the two top price rams at $1600 were both knocked down to return buyers TR&OA Mudge, Port Wakefield.

The first ram measured in the top 5pc for TCP and PWWT and top 10pc for LEQ and WWT.

The second sire was in the top 10pc for WWT, PWWT and TCP, and top 20pc for LEQ.

Volume buyers on the White Suffolks included Tullabrin Pastoral, Forreston, with 11 rams to $1300, averaging $972, and GDA&LM McCallum & Sons, Edillilie, with six rams to $1900, averaging $1266.

Newbold's Bill Close said he was very pleased with the offering presented, particularly given the seasonal conditions they'd come through.

"I think there was good demand for rams, although obviously the lack of ewes in farming areas affected the total clearance," he said.

"The solid stud demand was pleasing to see, as well as rams going from the West Coast area, into Victoria and across South Australia."

The sale was conducted jointly by Nutrien and Elders, with Andrew Wilson and Tony Wetherall auctioneering respectively.

Mr Wilson said a fantastic line-up was offered.

"The data matched the rams all the way through the catalogue," he said.

"There was a terrific lineup from lot 1 to the last lot.

"Newbold clients have gone away with some very good value for money."

Mr Wetherall agreed the line-up was terrific on both breeds.

"It's what you'd expect from 81 years of breeding," he said.

"They've been in the game a long time so you know they've got the performance, genetics and data."