Well-known prime lamb producer pays top money at Narranmore Poll Dorset sale

A well-known prime lamb producer has paid the top money at the O'Leary family's annual Narranmore Poll Dorset stud spring ram sale held on-property on Friday, September 11, at Elong Elong.

Stud principals Ian and Christine O'Leary, along with their sons, Duncan and Toby, were happy with their sale result with the top-priced ram fetching $4800, and a total of 83 rams selling from 110 offered resulting in an average of $1955.

Buying Narranmore genetics for more than 10 years, Gary Nott, and his daughter, Susan, Minemoorong, Dunedoo, paid the top price for Lot 6, tag 339, a heavily-muscled ram weighing 121 kilograms, and scoring very well on Stockscan figures including an eye muscle area of 39.09 square centimetres.

"He was a pretty good ram, and I think he was the best in the mob," Mr Nott said.

The prime lamb producer, who regularly tops the local lamb market, bought four rams for an average of $3275.

Trading as Minemoorong Pastoral Co, Mr Nott planned to use his latest purchases over his first-cross ewes in his prime lamb operation, turning off about 1500 lambs annually.

The second top-priced ram went to another loyal client in Phill Redding, who bought for Alto Rural Pty Ltd, Dunedoo, for use in its lamb operation. They paid $4700 for Lot 5, tag 381, another well muscled ram with an EMA of 43.12 sq cm, weighing 119kg.

Alto Rural purchased four rams in total averaging $4275.

Another repeat buyer, Peter Campbell, of Woodlands, Merriwa, took home six rams topping at $3000.

Christine O'Leary said almost all buyers were repeat buyers, who returned each year for the Narranmore rams' growth rate, length and square frames, with some buying since the stud was established more than 35 years ago.

Volume buyers included return client, Adam Willock, Comobella, who bought 17 rams, while first-time buyer, Mitch Swain, McCulloch Agencies, Tamworth, selected 14 rams.

"We were happy with the way the rams presented, as we have been buying top genetics from the Tattykeel stud since we first began the stud," Mrs O'Leary said.

"We focus on producing quality rams - true Dorset type with good conformation and quick growth and maturity to suit sucker production although many of our buyers are very happy to select rams to use over their Merinos.

"Nearly all our clients have traditionally been locals, who have topped the local markets producing very even lines of lambs in the yards.

"Ewe numbers have dropped off dramatically in our area recently for different reasons and we have certainly had to reduce the number of rams we breed."

Angus Stuart, Milling Stuart Pty Ltd, Dunedoo, said it was a good sale with a strong average, resulting from competition provided by the stud's loyal client base.

"The top priced ram was excellent having a great shape and carcase and would do a great job in producing heavyweight lambs," Mr Stuart said.

The sale was conducted by Milling Stuart Pty Ltd, Dubbo, with Mr Stuart the auctioneer.