The ram that was 'too good to be a flock' ram heads off to a leading NSW stud

A "very neat and correct" sheep has achieved the top price in a total clearance at a Wimmera Border Leicester stud's ram sale.

Glenlee Park Border Leicester stud, Gerang Gerung, sold all 68 of the rams it offered this year.

Lot 2, Glenlee Park 24-0136, sired by Retallack Will-Exceed 200336 and out of Glenlee Park 220291, sold for the top price of $5500.

The August 2024-drop ram was one of a twin.

Ashley Corkhill bought the ram through AuctionsPlus on behalf of the family-run Normanhurst stud, Boorowa, NSW.

Mr Corkhill said the ram was a "neat and correct" example of the Border Leicester breed.

"I think he will slot into our program, he is a very stylish ram who is very true to type," he said.

"His structure is just perfect, he's got beautiful wool, a lovely head, and I think he is a ram that will go on and do a good job in our stud."

He said Normanhurst bought a ram from Glenlee last year, which had "done a great job" with his lambs.

"This guy is sired by a Retallick ram, and we were losing bidder on that animal when Will bought him, so it's nice to get those genetics," he said.

Glenlee bought Retallack Will-Exceed 200336 in 2021 for $29,000.

Mr Corkhill said the ram was good value.

"In a really good year, I think that ram would be worth twice that," he said.

"What he'll do for us in the future will be huge.

"I think he will put a beautiful type together, that is what we are chasing, that type and structure, beautiful carcase and wool structure.

"For us, he is a pretty complete ram, a very long-bodied ram."

He said the stud believed the ram's ewe progeny would be his strength.

"That's what we have been looking forward to the most," he said.

Glenlee Park stud principal Will Schilling said he was happy to see the rams go off to their new homes.

"They are going to do what they are going to do," he said.

Mr Schilling said the sire was running with the flock rams.

"I thought 'wowee', you are something a bit more special than a flock ram," he said.

He said he didn't show the ram, as he was "just a little bit behind".

"But in the last month or so, he's really come up," he said.

"He is a very proud, sirey type sheep, very correct, packed full of meat with a ripping fleece on him.

"He is certainly going to do the industry some good."

He said he hoped to offer a few extra rams next year.

Volume buyers included Geoff and Diane Allan, Melrose, Mathoura, NSW, who picked up 15 rams at an average of $1293.

AWN auctioneer Stephen Kelly said there were about 30-40 people at the sale, with strong support on AuctionsPlus.

"The rams presented very well, although they didn't sell to the extreme rates of other years, but it was still a very solid sale," he said.

"The success Will has had and the genetic background in that ram drove the price."

Mr Kelly said with the reduction in ewe numbers because of seasonal conditions, producers had been reluctant to expand their flocks.

"Border Leicester sales obviously run hand-in-hand with what the market is doing - one year they can be very good, the next very ordinary," he said.

"People have confidence in what Will breeds and what is here in front of them, so they are buying here with confidence."