Near-perfect clearance, $2200 top for Saber Poll Dorset annual ram sale

The Deniliquin-based Saber Poll Dorset sheep stud reached a near-perfect clearance with its 10th annual ram sale, held onsite at Morvah Park on Friday, September 25.

With 130 of 131 rams sold, the average settled at $1538, with the top-selling ram reaching $2200, bought by Clive and Suellen Landale's Mundiwa Pastoral Co, Deniliquin.

Lot 33, ear tag number 250062, was an April 2025-drop triplet ram by Felix 231129.

He had a birthweight (BWT) figure of +0.58 and a robust weaning weight (WWT) of +12.94, lending superior metrics to the breed's baseline average.

His post-weaning weight (PWT) was +20.19, with an eye muscle depth (PEMD) of +3.39, a post-weaning fat (PFAT) of +1.36 and a shear force (SF) figure of +1.24, while his Terminal Carcase Production (TCP) was +157.6, alongside an eating quality (EQ) figure of +155.42.

Lot 33 was purchased for the Landales, who bought three across the catalogue for a total spend of $6100, with bidding carried out by Nutrien Deniliquin's Bill O'Brien.

"The Landales had a very good run of suckers in last Tuesday's yarding (at Deniliquin)," Mr O'Brien said.

"They wanted three rams from the Saber sale, and that top lot had good eye muscle, good stretch, good depth, and was just a very good square ram."

Mr O'Brien said the 131 rams were all presented in excellent order, which made for the near-perfect clearance, and he said the stud had received good returns to inject back into its breeding project.

The Saber Poll Dorset operation was founded in 1958 under Rod Fawns, father of current stud principal Steve Fawns and his wife Linda.

The stud invested heavily in its genetic program, with emphasis on early growth and muscling, and is a member of Meat Elite Australia, a national network of Poll Dorset breeders focused on prime lamb production.

Saber's 2026 catalogue featured 12 White Suffolk rams before the remaining 119 Poll Dorsets, and Mr Fawns said they had worked hard at presenting an excellent draft.

"The rams were all at working weight," he said.

"They all stood up on their legs very well and they all had above-average breeding values, which made them easy to sell."

Mr Fawns said there was little difference between the first and the last rams through the ring, which was reflected in consistent prices catalogue-wide and a decision to meet the market.

"We've only got 14 left on the farm and they've all got homes, so we really have sold virtually everything within a week of starting our selling," he said.

"Grazing sheep, and particular prime lambs, have been very good to us this year in every way."

The sale was conducted by Nutrien Deniliquin with Arentz and Barker, Deniliquin.