Ewes hit record as Abelene Park welcomes back Victorian buyers in a big way
Poll Dorset ewes were in strong demand at the Abelene Park Poll Dorset and White Suffolk ram sale on Thursday, September 24, where a stud record price was reached twice.
The Douglas family, Piallamore, achieved a 71 per cent on-site clearance for their sale, with unsold offerings continuing to sell after the fall of the hammer.
In the Poll Dorset catalogue, 35 of 51 rams sold to a top of $4000, averaging $1397 and all10 White Suffolk rams sold to $1400, averaging $1060.
But it was the ewes that stole the show with all 20 Poll Dorset females selling to average $1135 and top at a stud record of $1600 on two occasions.
The result was a significant lift on last year's corresponding sale, where all 15 ewes sold to a top of $900 and averaged $750.
Ian Kyle of Ashley Park travelled all the way from Bairnsdale in Victoria to secure 15 females, including the two record breakers.
His draft averaged $1180.
Mr Kyle said the quality of Abelene Park's genetics made the trip worthwhile.
"I've known the Douglas family for a long time and they're renowned for the quality sheep they breed," Mr Kyle said.
"Having judged at the 2026 Australasian Dorset Championships in Bendigo, we saw that quality first hand. Distance wasn't a concern.
"We came looking for quality genetics, and Abelene Park had exactly what we were after."
Gunnedah buyer Grant McIlveen secured the $4000 top-price Poll Dorset ram in Abelene Park 52.
Sired by Blitz AP 43-2, the April 2025-drop ram tipped the scales at 154 kilograms and was born a single.
His ASBVs included a birthweight of 0.45, a post-weaning weight (PWT) of +15.3 and a post-weaning eye muscle depth (PEMD) of +0.6.
Mr McIlveen arrived at the 2026 Abelene Park ram sale with one clear goal: to secure the lot two ram.
After seeing videos of Abelene Park 52 before the sale, he knew he was the one he wanted to take home.
Mr McIlveen had purchased from Abelene Park for the past eight years and said the ram's overall quality was what stood out.
"I feel very fortunate to be able to purchase from a stud of this quality here," he said.
"He'll fit into our stud ewe operation beautifully. We'll use him across our stud ewes and then sell his progeny on to commercial producers.
"He'll definitely put some sire power into my sheep."
Volume ram buyers included RJ and JE Gilham, Hopetoun Park, Boggabri, with nine rams averaging $1066, topping at $1400.
P and L Taber, Manilla, bought two rams for $1000 each.
Abelene Park co-principal Marshall Douglas said it was pleasing to welcome repeat clients back to the sale after seeing strong results from previous purchases.
"We were very happy with the ewe line-up this year, and it was great to see that strength reflected in the results," Mr Douglas said.
"We offer a selection of breeds in our rams to cater for clients running a range of different operations."
Mr Douglas said it was also exciting to see Abelene Park genetics heading back to Victoria for the first time since 2020.
"It's great to see our genetics travelling further afield, and we look forward to seeing how they perform in different environments," he said.
The selling agents were McCulloch Agencies, Tamworth, with Mitchell Swain as auctioneer. The sale was also interfaced online via AuctionsPlus.
