Proven genetics has buyers bid to top price twice at Rowallan Poll Dorset's

Consistency and proven genetics had return buyers bid strongly across this year's line up of rams at the annual Rowallan Poll Dorset's annual on-property sale, Friday, September 4, at Crowther.

All up the stud recorded a 93 per cent clearance with 154 of 165 rams sold to a top of $4000 twice, to average $2570.

Lot 91, Rowallan 250506, was the first of two rams to hit $4000, sold to Body Pastoral, Yass.

The twin-born ram had four Australian sheep breeding values (ASBVs) in the top 20 per cent, including intramuscular fat (IMF) of 0, a dressing percentage of +3.3, an eating quality (EQ) index of +157 and Terminal Carcase Production (TCP) index of +159.

Its birthweight (BWT), post weaning weight (PWT) and post weaning eye muscle depth (PEMD) all ranked in the top 30pc.

Lot 103, Rowallan 250614, was the other $4000 purchase, sold to to Cavan Station, Yass.

Another twin-born ram, it featured six traits in the top 30pc, with a BWT of +0.2, PEMD of +3.2, IMF of -0.2 and dressing percentage of +3.1.

Also ranked in the top 30pc were its EQ and TCP at +151 and +154 respectively.

Cavan Station have been repeat buyers for a number of years, and offer between 3000 and 5000 store lambs every November.

They bought four rams in total, to an average of $3350.

Both top-priced rams were sired by Rowallan 230767, which combined low birth with high growth.

Phil Butt, Butt Livestock and Property, Yass, said consistent return buyers showed the confidence purchasers had in the proven genetics that Rowallan offer.

"Seventy per cent of the sires purchased are used by producers who finish their lambs to kill specs, with approximately 30pc of the purchasers buying Rowallan sires to produce store and feeder lambs," he said.

"It is the excellent feedback about the lambs performance which highlights the genetics that Rowallan Rams bring to their clientele."

Rowallan 250325 kicked off the sale strongly, sold at the second-highest price of $3800, to Willawari Enterprises, Bendick Murrell.

Sired by Rowallan 250614, the ram had a PEMD of +5.2, dressing percentage of +4.4, EQ of +172 and TCP of +175, all ranked in the top 1pc.

Another notable sale included lot 55, Rowallan 250369, to Coralyn Pastoral for $3400.

Among the volume buyers were KJ and HJ Duffey, who bought six rams to top of $3600 three times, to average $3333.

Long-term clients GT, EF and CR Southwell, Rye Park, bought three rams to average $3533, to a top of $3600 twice.

Fairindon Holdings, Gunning, purchased 23 rams to $3000 and averaged $2530.

Long-term clients Woornack Pastoral, Young, returned this year to take home 14 rams to a top of $3600, while Porterdown Pastoral, Young, bought 15 rams for an average of $3350.

Rowallan principal Matt Reid said he was pleased with the result given the lack of ewes across the country.

"Happy and relieved it went well, every year you go into the sale little nervous," he said.

"I think that clearance is a good outcome in that I have sold basically everything and the clients have gone home with what they wanted.

"It was interesting to see that clients were chasing moderate birth weight with a good balance of figures as well, rather than just one index on its own."

Mr Reid said he was buoyed by the loyalty of return buyers.

"Obviously we love to get new clients and you need them but to have clients that were buying off my grandfather, father and have kept buying with me, means a lot," he said.

"It's very pleasing to see they're happy with the product."

The sale was conducted by Butt Livestock and Property with Nick Fogarty the auctioneer.