Repeat buyers chase structure and growth as top priorities at Ashbank sale

Repeat clients were looking for rams with structure and good growth at the 44th annual Ashbank Poll Dorset and White Suffolk ram sale at Dubbo on Wednesday, September 9.

Ashbank sold 88 of 92 Poll Dorset rams, topping at $4200 twice and averaging $2188, while 25 of 40 White Suffolk rams sold to a high of $2000 and an average of $1316.

The first $4200 ram, lot 18, was purchased by Neil and Anthony Martin, Little River Lambs, Arthurville.

The Martins also purchased another two rams, lots 7 and 10, for $4000 each, and another, lot 86, for $2100.

The Martins are repeat clients of many years at Ashbank and will use the rams in their second-cross lamb production.

"We try to buy twins, and we liked the statistics of these rams - eye muscle and growth rates - as well as their structure," Anthony Martin said.

The second $4200 ram was bought by Nutrien Forbes on behalf of a client at Bedgerabong.

The top-price White Suffolk ram was purchased by the Williamson family, Aurora Park, Peak Hill, who also took home another four rams, with their draft averaging $1460.

The sale's volume buyer was Jandra Pastoral, which took home 10 rams topping at $1900 and averaging $1540.

Warranilla Pastoral, Peak Hill, bought nine rams topping at $2000 and averaging $1533.

Stud principal Daryl Dixon said while support came from mainly repeat clients, there were a few new faces in the crowd.

He said rams went to Warren, Peak Hill, Coonamble, Wellington, Trundle, Merrygoen and Narromine.

"We're pretty happy with the way the Poll Dorsets sold," Mr Dixon said.

"The White Suffolks didn't sell as well, but some of those clients tend to come every second year, and they don't need rams this year."

Rams that weren't sold during the auction will be available for private sale.

The sale was conducted by Nutrien Livestock and HL Milling Thomas and Co, with Sam Thomas auctioneering.