Strong lamb market underpins Armdale Park Poll Dorset ram sale

High-growth rams were in demand at Armdale Park Poll Dorset ram sale, with high lamb prices attracting buyers.

Held on-property at Marrar on Friday, September 25, all 12 stud rams offered sold to a top price of $11,000 and for an average of $5667.

At the fall of the hammer 132 of 151 autumn and spring-drop flock rams sold to a top of $4000 and for an average of $2541.

The sale averaged $2706 overall and further rams were sold immediately following the auction.

The first lot of the sale, Armdale Park 250342, attracted the top price of $11,000 and was sold to Bungola Poll Dorsets, Nubba.

The April 2025-drop ram, sired by Armdale Park 230059 and from Armdale Park 180536, scanned an eye muscle depth of 56 millimetres and width of 115mm, along with a fat depth of 8mm and an eye muscle area of 49.59 square centimetres.

He recorded a weaning weight of 41 kilograms and a post weaning weight of 97kg.

Buyer Hamish Bradford, Bungola, said he admired the ram for his length.

"I go for the rams more on look but the stats were good too," he said.

"He has a good big behind and we're after good long rams - they put the weight into our lambs."

Along with breeding rams in the stud, Mr Bradford said they run about 2000, predominantly first-cross ewes, to breed second-cross lambs in a mixed farming operation.

Two rams were sold for the second top price of $8000, including Armdale Park 250196, which was purchased by The Riverina Anglican College, Wagga Wagga.

The April 2025-drop ram, by Armdale Park 230196 and from Armdale Park 200178, had an EMD of 58mm and width of 116mm, with 8mm fat and an EMA of 51.81sq cm.

He recorded a weaning weight of 39kg and a post weaning weight of 95kg.

The other ram to reach $8000 was Armdale Park 250208, which sold to a buyer on AuctionsPlus.

The April 2025-drop ram, by Armdale Park 220200 Elvis and from Armdale Park 210624, had an EMD of 53mm, width of 112mm, 8mm fat and 45.71sq cm.

He recorded a weaning weight of 39kg and a post weaning weight of 93kg.

The main volume buyer of the sale was RF Harris Family Trust, Coolamon, who bought 14 rams for an average of $2000.

Garry Armstrong, Armdale Park, said he was pleased with the result with the sale holding up throughout.

Mr Armstrong said there was a good mix of new and return buyers.

"They were looking for rams with plenty of growth," he said.

"It's all about being able to suckers off early - the people who have been able to do that get the big money early before the price comes back a bit."

Mr Armstrong said the top-priced ram had been his pick all year.

"He's a big, strong, powerful ram, chock full of meat," he said.

"He's got a real sire appeal."

The sale was conducted by Nutrien Ag Solutions and Wagga Regional Livestock with Nutrien's Rick Power and Peter Cabot sharing the rostrum with Isaac Hill, WRL.

AuctionsPlus provided the online interface.