Good structure and figures prove worth at Hillden Poll Dorset sale

Buyers were chasing structurally correct rams with muscle and fat to capitalise on the strong lamb market at the Hillden Poll Dorset stud sale.

Held on-property at Bannister on Friday, November 7, at the fall of the hammer, a total of nine stud rams sold to a top price of $3500 and an average of $2917, while 97 flock rams hit $2500 to average $1562.

Overall, 106 of 135 rams averaged $1677 with buyers from NSW and Victoria.

The top-priced ram was Hillden 33, which sold for $3500 to Northlands Pastoral, Young.

The ram, by Warburn 470-22, was 130 kilograms and scanned an eye muscle area of 50.02 square centimetres.

Hillden's James Frost said the ram was the top-scanning ram in the draft, with good structure to back it up.

A total of six rams hit the second top price of $3000, including Hillden 512 which was purchased by Ambleside Pastoral, Fowhow, Vic.

The ram, by Hillden 555-22, had been the champion intermediate ram at the NSW Dorset Championships in Cowra earlier in the year.

He was 137kg and had an EMA of 43.64sq cm.

Volume buyers included M and R Hewitt, Gunning, who purchased 12 rams for an average of $1250.

Webster Pastoral, Reids Flat, took home 11 rams to average $1591 and Derneveagh Pastoral Co, Harden, purchased nine rams to average $2250.

JT and NM McCormack, Lost River, took home eight rams to average $1938 and WE Curry and Co, Grabben Gullen, purchased six rams to average $1625.

Mr Frost said the sale's outcome was a pleasing result, particularly given the tough season in the area.

"The rams presented as well as we've ever had them," he said.

Mr Hillden said there was strong support from repeat buyers, as well as some new clients, chasing rams with structure and a good Dorset type to finish lambs quickly.

The sale was conducted by Nutrien and Duncombe and Co with Nutrien's Rick Power sharing the rostrum with Jock Duncombe.