Top rams from Springwaters Poll Dorsets bound for stud duties

The strong lamb market brought confidence to the Springwaters Poll Dorset on-property ram sale, held near Boorowa on Friday, October 3.

At the fall of the hammer, a total of 190 of 204 Poll Dorset rams sold to a top price of $13,000 to average $2344.

In the breakdown, all 14 stud rams reached $11,000 and averaged $5440, while 176 flock rams sold to $13,000 and averaged $2122.

Further rams were sold post-sale.

The top-priced ram was Springwaters 240217, which sold for $13,000 to Barwon Stud, Yerong Creek.

The 142 kilogram May-drop ram, by Warburn 220470, scanned a fat depth of six millimetres and an eye muscle area (EMA) of 34.02 square centimetres with a meat index of +1065.

He recorded Australian Sheep Breeding Values (ASBVs) of +0.74 for birthweight (BWT), +10.26 for weaning weight (WWT), +14.35 for post-weaning weight (PWT), -0.78 for intramuscular fat (IMF) and +127.44 on the terminal carcase production (TCP) index.

Buyer Mark Yates, Barwon Stud, said the ram had solid ASBVs.

"He's got length and good bone and structure and that's exactly what I want," he said.

"Plus he's got depth of body."

Barwon Stud also purchased Springwaters 240308 for $2500.

"I thought they were outstanding rams," he said.

"The sort of sheep I want to breed - big, strong, powerful rams and we've used Springwaters before and they've done a great job for our stud."

Both rams will go into their stud operation where Mr Yates said they run about 900 Poll Dorset ewes and 450 White Suffolk ewes, putting up 200 rams at their sale on Friday.

Mr Yates said he aimed to breed rams whose progeny give prime lamb producers market options.

"Most people if they have feed in front of them want their lambs to grow quickly so they can get them off as early maturing lambs," he said.

"And if they haven't got feed I'm hoping my rams will produce lambs that keep growing so they've got plenty of options, besides the trade market they could go into export."

The second-top priced ram was Springwaters 240132 which sold for $11,000 to Luana Poll Dorset stud, Taralga.

The 148.5kg April-drop, twin-born ram, by Warburn 220470, scanned 8mm fat depth and 44.0sq cm EMA with an index of +1595.

He recorded ASBVs of +0.59 BWT, +12.17WWT, +18.15 PWT, -0.69 IMF, and +140.26 TCP.

The ram was Luana's sole purchase.

Dane Rowley, Springwaters, said the ram had a beautiful carcase and a good set of data.

Two rams reached the third top price of $7000 - Springwaters 240116 sold via AuctionsPlus and Springwaters 240317 sold to Sturgess Pastoral, Koorawatha.

A volume buyer of the sale was new clients Andrew and Amy Kelly, Lugano Pastoral Company, Rugby, who purchased seven rams to average $2786.

Mr Kelly said they were looking for moderate rams with a high TCP index.

"I look at the structure and the feet - that's the first thing and then at the data," he said.

Mr Kelly said they run a terminal lamb operation, aiming to turn off 70 per cent as suckers, while the other 30pc are taken through and finished in autumn.

He said they run between 5000 and 6000 ewes.

Springwaters sale

Pictures by Alexandra Bernard

John Phillips, Jerangle, purchased nine rams to average $2417.

Johnson Park Merinos, Bookham, took home eight rams to average $2063.

MA and S Corcoran, Boorowa, purchased seven rams to average $2393.

The Maroney family, Young, purchased six rams to average $4417, and Wendouree Grazing Co, Walcha, also picked up six rams to average $2792.

Mr Rowley said the line-up of rams was the most even they had offered, which was highlighted in the sale results.

"All in all it was a good sale - clients got the rams they wanted," he said.

"The big thing is they'll use the ram to cash in on such a good lamb market - if we get a good season it is such a good time to be in the industry.

"There is a lot of optimism in the lamb job."

Repeat buyers were strong during the sale, however there were several new clients which Mr Rowley said was good to see.

The sale was conducted by Elders with Aaron Seaman taking bids as the auctioneer and was interfaced with AuctionsPlus.