Rams with early growth in demand at Armdale Park Poll Dorset ram sale

Lamb producers looking to capitalise on the strong market were chasing rams with early growth from Armdale Park Poll Dorset stud.

At the on-property ram sale held near Marrar on Friday, all 15 Poll Dorset stud rams sold to a top price of $10,000 and for an average of $4567.

At the fall of the hammer, 132 of 159 autumn and spring drop Poll Dorset flock rams sold to a top of $4500 to average $2454.

The sale had an overall average of $2669 and further rams were sold immediately following the auction.

The top-priced ram was Armdale Park 240425, which sold for $10,000 to Richard Maas, Gilmour Station Poll Dorsets, Lake Bathurst.

The twin-born June-drop ram, by Armdale Park 210270 and from Armdale Park 170149, had an eye muscle width of 106 millimetres and depth of 57mm, along with a fat depth of 8mm and an eye muscle area (EMA) of 46.52 square centimetres.

He had an index of 1808.

Buyer Mr Maas said the ram was "a standout".

"He caught my eye as soon as I walked to the pen," he said.

"His stance, his head, everything about him."

Mr Maas said the ram would go into his stud program, where he runs 200 stud ewes and sells about 70 rams a year.

He said he aims to breed fast-maturing rams with muscle and weight.

Mr Maas said he had purchased both flock and stud rams from Armdale Park, including two flock rams which set the Australian record price at the time.

"We're happy with them and happy to come back," he said.

Garry Armstrong, Armdale Park, said the ram had plenty of length, early growth and size about him.

The second top-priced ram was Armdale Park 240082 which sold for $6000 to repeat buyers Morray and Armstrong, Yerong Creek.

The twin-born April-drop ram, by Faraday Park 220009 and from Armdale Park 220307, scanned an eye muscle width of 108mm and depth of 56mm, along with a fat depth of 8mm and an EMA of 46.57sq cm.

He had an index of 1844.

The ram was the stud's first son from the Faraday Park sire, who had been the intermediate champion at the Australasian Dorset Championships in 2023.

Mr Armstrong said he was a different style of ram to the top price and was deep-bodied.

The third top-priced ram was Armdale Park 240247, which sold to repeat buyers Boree Lane Poll Dorset Stud, Orange, for $5000.

The twin-born April-drop ram, by Tattykeel 200080 and from Armdale Park 210251, scanned an eye muscle width of 104mm and depth of 51mm, along with a fat depth of 7mm and an EMA of 40.84.

He had an index of 1622 and was noted in the catalogue to be good on his legs and feet with plenty of eye appeal.

Karl Sinclair, Boree Lane, said it was the ram's "overall balance" that attracted him.

"Very good on his feet - he doesn't do a lot wrong," he said.

The ram was one of three stud rams purchased by Boree Lane Poll Dorsets for an average of $4667.

Another purchase was Armdale Park 240067 for $4500.

The twin-born April-drop ram was by Armdale Park 220200 Elvis, which Mr Sinclair was the losing bidder on when he was sold in 2023.

"It was good to get a son of 200," he said.

Mr Sinclair said all three purchased would be used as follow-up rams in the stud's AI program.

"They all represent a lot of value given their pedigree and the correctness of those sheep," he said.

"They're all very classy sheep."

Mr Sinclair joins 500 stud ewes and said he aimed to breed high growth, medium fat and good Doset types.

"My emphasis is around structural correctness - they've got to be right on their feet and legs," he said.

"Lambing ease is a big focus for me."

The main volume buyer of the auction was repeat buyer Guy Milson, Goulburn, who purchased 14 rams for an average of $2764.

Burgess Hill Pastoral Co, Coolamon, purchased 10 rams for an average of $2110.

Telko Ag, Deniliquin, took home seven rams for an average of $2143 and Walliandoon P/L also purchased seven rams for an average of $1914.

Mr Armstrong said the sale was very solid, with the top end of the flock rams selling particularly well.

"They went top-end commercial lamb producers," he said.

"I think there was a price point for everyone and everyone went home happy."

Mr Armstrong said repeat buyers were strong, but there were also several new clients through Wagga Regional Livestock coming on as agents for the first time.

"They were looking for rams as big as they can get them with the most length so they can get their lambs up as fast as they can," he said.

"That's what most lamb producers are looking for - good sheep with good shape and plenty of early growth."

The sale was conducted by Nutrien Ag Solutions and Wagga Regional Livestock with Nutrien's Rick Power and Hamish McGeoch sharing the rostrum alongside Isaac Hill, WRL.

AuctionsPlus provided the online interface.