Carcase traits lift competition, prices for Springwaters Poll Dorset rams

Welcome rain lifted spirits and confidence at the Springwaters Poll Dorset on-property ram sale, held near Boorowa on Friday, October 1.

A strong local contingent, as well as buyers from the Riverina, New England, Orana and South Australia, lifted the average price by more than $600 a head from the previous year.

All 33 stud rams sold, averaging $6280 with a $10,000 top, while 152 flock rams sold to a $4000 top and averaged $2700. All up, 185 of 202 rams sold and averaged $2986.

Nick Bailey, Bailey Agriculture, bought the top-priced ram, Springwaters 250614, for $10,000, in his first visit to the stud.

"We're after a moderate ram that can suit all breeds; we run Merinos, prime lines and crossbred ewes," he said.

"We're after growth and eye muscle ... we could have bought any of those first six or seven rams, but he was our first pick, he has some great figures and structure."

Breeding Poll Dorset rams across properties at Cowra and Coonamble, Mr Bailey said the ram would soon be put to work, as joining the 18,000 ewes begins in November.

The 149-kilogram, August 2025-drop ram, by LSK 230263, scanned a fat depth of seven millimetres and an eye muscle area (EMA) of 41.23 square centimetres with a meat index of +1709.

He recorded Australian sheep breeding values (ASBVs) of +0.54 for birthweight (BWT), +12.06 for weaning weight (WWT), +17.75 for post-weaning weight (PWT), -0.86 for intramuscular fat (IMF) and +139.01 on the terminal carcase production (TCP) index.

Seven-year-old Sandy Bailey added he was looking forward to seeing the ram perform at home, particularly leading up to his favourite time of year, lambing season.

"We'll get to put him in the paddock for a few days, and we'll get some new lambs from it," he said.

Springwaters Poll Dorset 2026 Ram Sale | Gallery

Pictures by Eliza Spencer.

Three rams shared honours as the second-top-priced ram, each sold for $8000. Buyers GR and HB Bush, Cootamundra, IG and KA Ford, Cathcart, and Wrattenbullie Poll Dorsets, Naracoorte, SA, secured Springwaters 250606, Springwaters 250667 and Springwaters 250579.

By Springwaters 240023, Springwaters 250606 recorded a fat depth of 7mm, 35.24sqcm EMA, and ASBVs of +0.27 BWT, +8.72 WWT and +13.25 PWT, with a +141.08 TCP index.

Also by 240023, Springwaters 250667 recorded a 37.19sqcm EMA, 7mm fat depth, with +0.39 BWT, 10.13 WWT and a 15.21 PWT, with -0.6 IMF and a +144.91 TCP index.

An Ivadene 230105 son, Springwaters 250179 recorded a 37.73sqcm EMA and 7mm fat depth with -0.83 IMF, 0.58 BWT and 18.14 PWT, with a +157.51 TCP index.

Buyers also secured large drafts across the board, and Walcha's Wendouree Grazing bought 10 rams for an average $3650.

D and K Howard secured 12 rams to a $1958 average, and MA and S Corcoran, Boorowa, also purchased 12 rams, which averaged $2312.50.

The volume buyer of the day was Matthew Merriman, Ravensworth, Yass, with 15 rams headed to his first-cross operation for an average $3400.

"We have a Merino to Merino flock, and we also breed our own first-cross ewes, and put the Poll Dorsets over them," he said.

"Joining about 4000 first-cross ewes, we needed the rams to fill in the numbers and do the job."

Also a first-time buyer at Springwaters, Mr Merriman said the timing was right to bring traits like depth of body into his flock.

"I went over and had a look at the rams a month ago, and I thought they would be good rams by looking at them," he said.

"We got what we wanted, which was good, and there was lots of depth in them. They're good stock."

Springwaters' Dane Rowley said it was pleasing to see strong competition for the top offerings, with rams available for a variety of buyers and operations.

"People were looking to buy the better rams, there was a lot of competition," he said.

"There were a lot of new buyers that are going to do a really good job with them."

Studs made their presence felt, with purchases also headed to Bungola Poll Dorsets, Dubbo, Avondale Poll Dorsets, Gilgandra, and Main Range, Berridale.

"That's always very rewarding," Mr Rowley said.

"From the conversations I've had before, the studs that did buy were just looking for a bit of a blend.

"It's a modern world, and everyone looks for more and more data, but people still like something about the look of the sheep."

The sale was conducted by Elders stud stock, with auctioneer Aaron Seaman, assisted by Rachel Dawe, and was interfaced online with AuctionsPlus.