Netley Park posts record average in Poll Dorsets, strong Border ram result
Long-time loyal clients from the South East and western Victoria had most of the rams covered at Netley Park stud's 31st annual sale at Mundulla.
And with a much smaller offering of Poll Dorsets than the previous year and a much improved season they were prepared to up the ante to secure the rams that were available.
This ensured a total clearance of 34 lots for a record $2191 average - up nearly $1000 on last year's average.
The Border Leicester average was up $400 - a reflection of the confidence first cross ewe breeders have in ewe prices at upcoming sales.
Fourty-nine of these 62 maternal sires offered by stud principal Michael King sold for a $1620 average.
The $3200 top price came early in the auction with Spence Dix & Co director Rodney Dix securing Lot 2 of the Poll Dorsets on behalf of PW Scown, Mundulla.
The 132 kilogram ram, which was easily the heaviest ram in the sale, had a 48 millimetre eye muscle depth and 7mm fat depth.
Also out of the first pen the Williams family, Willswood Farms, Bordertown, secured another impressive ram - Lot 1 which weighed 119kg with a 44mm EMD and 7mm fat depth for $3000.
It was one of their three buys.
The Williams family - who have been buying from Netley Park since they sold their Willow Park stud to Mr King in 2015 - also bought the $2400 highest priced Border Leicester in Lot 6.
The volume Poll Dorset buyers were GL&SM Maddern, Kaniva, Vic, with seven averaging $1971.
Egel Partners, Keith, bought five rams averaging $2020.
A contingent of Edenhope buyers led the charge for the Border Leicesters particularly WD, RE&NW Robinson who put 15 rams on their buying card for a $1547 average.
Treetop Estate, Field, also secured 15 rams for a $1587 average.
Mr King said he was really pleased with the weights and muscling in the sale rams.
"A good early break and outstanding season made it a lot easier to get them up to fulfil their potential," he said.
He said a few things had "conspired against him" having more numbers of Poll Dorsets, but if demand warranted next year they would be back to about 60 rams.
He was rapt with those Poll Dorsets he did offer noting that his previous best average was only about $1600 a few years ago.
"It was also good average for the Borders," he said.
"I just don't have enough buyers coming for their threes or fours to really fill in the competition to the end."
Spence Dix & Co auctioneer Jack Guy - who shared the auctioneering duties with Luke Schreiber - also praised Netley Park's catalogue of rams.
"It is amazing when you get a bit of grass in front of them how they present and you can see how they do, they are all paddock run rams," he said.
Mr Guy said the continued strength of the lamb market and anticipation around what first cross ewes could be worth is really giving producers confidence this ram selling season.
"With breeding ewe numbers back people are either going to have to breed them or buy them," he said.
"No one is too excited about buying these high priced sheep so I think we will see many people breed them especially with the green grass in front of them."
