Late decision to add potential stud sire pays off for seller and buyer

A back-and-forth conversation between Ulandi Park Poll Dorsets, Marrabel, stud principals Clayton and Charles Rowett on the decision to include a potential stud sire has paid off.

Lot 18A was an additional, and very late, inclusion and topped the sale at $8000, selling to the Hausler family at Janmac Pastoral Company, Goroke, western Vic.

While long-time repeat buyers - the Hausler family - were not present, the ram was bought on their behalf by Nutrien Naracoorte agent Nick Heffernan.

It's a repeat for the Hausler family who bought UIandi Park's top ram in 2025.

The June 2025 drop ram is one of the first progeny of Derrynock 20.

It had a good balance of ASBVs with a weaning weight of +11, post weaning weight of +15.7, an eye muscle depth of +3 and Terminal Carcase Production Index of 148.2.

Grant Hausler, Janmac Pastoral Company, said this particular ram would go out as a stud sire for their operations.

"We had him inspected and felt that if he's good enough for the Rowetts to keep, he's good enough for us to use and knowing the sort of sheep they are it (the ram) would fit our program," Mr Hausler said.

As long-time supporters of the Ulandi Park stud, Mr Hausler was impressed with how the rams performed overall and said Lot 18A whilst he didn't have extreme numbers, would fit within their team.

"He'll be used internally and we have a large group of Ulandi Park bloodline ewes through our flock too, so he'll just complement them," he said.

"We've had great success with them (Ulandi Park rams) over many years, we've had a good run with them."

In what was some fierce competition between regular clients, the Ulandi Park sale was strong from the beginning to the end.

The stud offered and sold 129 rams to a top of $8000, averaging $2096, well outperforming last year's sale, which averaged $1430.

Of note, the first 20 rams offered didn't drop below $2000, with Pembroke Pastoral Company, Telangatuk East, Victoria, taking the second highest priced ram, lot 18 for $7000.

This was another Derrynock 20 sired ram.

The sale attracted 30 registered bidders from locations including Naracoorte, Murray Bridge, Eudunda and into Victoria.

Volume buyers included BJ Woolford Trust, Booleroo Centre, who bought 15 averaging $2520; Bennett Farm Trust, Tarcowie, nine averaging $1422; and Sterita Park Pastoral, Lucindale, eight averaging $2106.

Ulandi Park stud principal Clayton Rowett said first and foremost, they were pleased to have sold all the rams they offered.

"We've had a lot of new buyers and we've got a lot of positive feedback, couldn't be happier with the sale," Mr Rowett said.

"In saying that, given the current sheep and lamb prices, and where the industry is at, they're certainly not too dear but we are really happy with the rams this year.

"We love hearing the feedback of what our rams do, we run a commercial enterprise ourselves, so we know what they do and we are happy with the rams here today."

The selling team consisted of Elders' Laryn Gogel, Gordon Wood for Nutrien and Jack Guy, Spence Dix & Co. The auction was also interfaced with AuctionsPlus.

Mr Wood said there was a lot of interest in the sale.

"It's an amazing turnaround, the season from last year to this year, there's no doubt about the fact there were plenty of repeat buyers in the shed, as well as new," he said.

"There's just a heck of a lot more confidence in the season and the industry at the moment so that sparked up a lot of buyers here to have a red hot go and it was good to see the higher priced ram here today go to Janmac.

"The Hauslers have got a really good ram for not a silly amount, really, they'll do well with that."