New and repeat buyers chase rams with growth and muscle at Aberdeen and Hovell
Rams with early growth to turn off lambs quickly were in demand at the combined Aberdeen Poll Dorset and Hovell stud ram sale.
Held on-property at Burrumbuttock on Tuesday, October 6, a mix of repeat and new buyers from NSW and Victoria bought Poll Dorset and Composite rams.
The top price of $2800 was reached for Aberdeen 250317, which was purchased by Peter Beckett, PGB Rural, Pleasant Hills.
The July 2025-drop Poll Dorset ram was sired by Aberdeen 220545 and from Aberdeen 210611.
The 133.5-kilogram ram ranked in the top 5 per cent for weaning weight (WWT) and post weaning weight (PWWT) with figures of +14.33 and +20.34 respectively, and in the top 10pc on the Terminal Carcase Production index (TCP) at +162.58.
Mr Beckett said the ram would be a good fit for their program and selected him on his high TCP and weaning weight figures.
"We'll put him with some of our older ewes to try and get bigger lambs," he said.
Mr Beckett joins about 1300 first-cross ewes, producing second-cross lambs, which he feedlots on-property to finish.
He bought a total of four Poll Dorset rams for an average of $2350.
Two Composite rams reached the top price of $2700 with C250091 and C250043 knocked down to repeat buyers Robilliard Ag, Old Junee.
C250091 was a July 2025-drop twin-born ram,104.5kg, by Mount Ronan 220063 and from C210140.
He ranked in the top 20pc for birthweight (BWT) with a figure of +0.19.
C240043 was a July 2025-drop twin-born ram, 106.5kg, by Mount Ronan 220113 and from C230320.
He ranked in the top 20pc for BWT and post-weaning eye muscle depth (PEMD) with figures of +0.24 and +2.83 respectively.
Buyer Ben Robilliard bought 10 Poll Dorset rams and 10 Composite rams for an average of $1825.
Mr Robilliard said he was focused on growth and eye muscle depth for the Poll Dorsets to go with their older ewes.
"The Composites will complement our self-replacing flock of Composite ewes with good meat and maternal assets," he said.
Mr Robilliard said they ran 7500 Composite ewes and finished all their lambs to domestic or export weights depending on the season and what the market was doing.
Volume buyers also included Hermiston Ag Enterprises, Brockelsby, which bought 20 Poll Dorset rams to a top of $2200 and for an average of $1450.
In the stud Poll Dorset rams, 12 of 12 sold to a top price of $2800 and for an average of $2350.
Of the flock Poll Dorset rams, 143 of 166 sold for an average of $1439. The sale of the 197 catalogued Poll Dorset stud and flock rams was stopped after lot 172, with nine of the 143 lots sold without going through the ring but before the final fall of the hammer.
All 30 Composite rams sold to a top price of $2700 twice and for an average of $2240.
Stud principal Rod Frohling said this was the first time they had offered Composite rams at auction, after making the switch from Border Leicesters to reach a bigger market, a change that paid off after they sold well.
He said there was support from repeat buyers, as well as some clients, chasing rams with early growth.
"They focus on birthweight, growth and want positive muscle," he said.
Mr Frohling said the 12 Poll Dorset stud rams were an even line up, which showed these traits, including the top-priced ram.
"He has massive growth, pretty good muscle and is out of a good dam line," he said.
"He's a good Dorset type, thick and has the right amount of meat where you need it."
The sale was conducted by Riverina Livestock Agents and Elders, with James Tierney, RLA, and Harry Cozens, Elders, sharing the rostrum as auctioneers.
