Multiple big orders filled at Mullinger Park's huge three-breed ram sale
A big buying gallery was spoilt for choice at Mullinger Park's 22nd annual combined ram sale at the Naracoorte Showgrounds, with many able to fill their orders well into the catalogue.
Vendors Brett, Amanda and Will Shepherd were rewarded for the consistency of type with close to a full clearance of one of state's largest offerings of prime lamb sires.
Overall, 284 of 294 Poll Dorsets White Suffolks and Suffolks found homes in SA and Vic for a $1436 average.
This was well in front of 2024 when 297 rams of 338 offered sold for a $1345 average.
There were no lofty heights despite the specially selected Poll Dorsets featuring some of the stud's successful 2025 Royal Adelaide Show team, including the reserve junior champion ram.
Overall, seven specially selected Poll Dorsets averaged $2343, five White Suffolks averaged $1780 and four Suffolks averaged $1500.
However, many of the 58 registered bidders extended their budgets for their top picks.
This reflected in the flock ram averages with 181 of 183 Poll Dorsets averaging $1464, 66 of 68 White Suffolks averaging $1344 and 21 of 27 Suffolks averaging $1081.
The $3000 sale high was lot 3, Mullinger Park 0502- a May 2024 drop son of Valma 144.
PPHS auctioneer Josh Manser heaped praise on the sale topper, describing him as "long as a battleship."
The ram, which had a Terminal Carcase Production Index of 155 was bought by RJ &J Kester, Kybybolite.
In the White Suffolk offering, it was M&D Schinckel, Kybybolite, who bought lot 108- the $2300 highest priced lot in the breed.
The late August 2024 drop had the highest Terminal Carcase Production index at 160, including a PEMD of 3.7. It was a son of $12,000 ram- Rangeview 19-98.
The Schinckels bought seven White Suffolks for a $1957 average, as well as securing four top-end Poll Dorset rams at $2000 and $2200.
J&J Munro, Hynam, were also active in the top end of the Poll Dorset catalogue, securing 11 rams to a $2400 high twice. They added three White Suffolks to the tally for a $1867 average and a Suffolk ram at $1200.
Also taking home 15 rams - all Poll Dorsets was MR McKenzie, Koppamurra. He averaged $1287 for his buys, including six rams at the $1000 base rate.
The Hannaford family, Willana Farming, Frances, was a dominant force, taking home 23 Poll Dorsets to $1600 three times and averaging $1204 for them. It was also successful on nine White Suffolks between $900 and $1100.
The Muellers, Cooneyanna Props, Binnum, bought the $1800 highest priced Suffolk ram in lot 232.
Elders Naracoorte auctioneer Tom Dennis, who shared the rostrum with SAL's Mat MacDonald and Mr Manser said it was an "outstanding" clearance considering many producers' ewe flocks were depleted.
"Some volume orders have helped move the rams and the specially selected rams, although only a few went to stud duties, they were really highly sought after, which was a testament to the structure that Brett and Amanda try and achieve in their sheep," he said.
Mr Dennis said while most producers were yet to bank the exceptional money for new season lambs, it was a "carrot" that was helping buoy ram sales.
"If you bought a few extra rams this year, it is probably a wise move because once everyone is recharged next year, look out," he said.
Mr Shepherd said they were very happy to have a few new buyers and so many clients who are getting great results with their bloodlines.
"Considering the season and fewer ewes about and producers switching over to a few composites to breed their own ewes, it is a great result," he said.
He is already excited for 2026 with the ram lambs 10 kilograms heavier than the 2025 sale rams at the same age, due to a much better season.
Over the years Mullinger Park stud has invested heavily in top genetics and this year has been no exception, with three new stud sires so far.
The Shepherds have outlaid $12,000 for the junior champion ram from the 2025 Royal Adelaide Show from the Wakeleigh stud, Cavendish, Vic, as well as $7000 for a Suffolk ram from Sayla Park, Kilmore, Vic, which was the supreme exhibit of the breed at the Melbourne Royal Show.
They have also bought a semen share in a Poll Dorset from the Abelene Park sale in NSW.
"We have bought a couple of extra rams to cut back on our AI program because we are probably a bit short-staffed. Last year, we did five days of AI so this year we will wind it back to two," he said.
Mr Shepherd is also excited about the purchase iin January of 200 specially selected ewes from the Hazelwood family, Melton Vale stud in Tasmania.
The ewes, which all have a TCP index of more than 150 and in many cases more than 160, will be run as a sister stud to Mullinger Park and have been AIed to high figured sires.
"We will have some pretty high figured rams to try and attract the composite type buyers and we will also be trying to breed a good one (ram) for ourselves," he said.
Elders, PPHS and SAL Naracoorte were joint selling agents.
