Poetic ram sale average as Shellal celebrates its 60th year in operation
Shellal Poll Dorset and Southdown stud celebrated its 60th year in operation with a poetic end to its ram sale, with its Poll Dorset rams averaging $1966 after starting the stud in 1966.
There was a total clearance of 127 Poll Dorset rams, with three of those reaching the breed top price of $3200 and averaging $1966 at Tuesday's on-property sale at Hawkesdale, while the momentum extended into the Southdowns, where 35 of 40 rams sold to a top price of $6000, averaging $1694.
Shellal stud principal Tania King said the numerical coincidence was a fitting nod to the stud's milestone sale.
"The result was a sign of confidence in our genetics as we had a lot of return buyers," Mrs King said.
"Coming off last year's drought and on the back of people increasing their ewe and lamb numbers, farmers are wanting to join up and that is relevant across many sales we have seen.
"A lot of our clients have already rebuilt their ewe base and now need the rams to join and that is one of the reasons why our sale was so successful."
She attributed the complete clearance of Poll Dorset rams to the breed's reputation for producing faster-finishing lambs.
"Most of the top-priced Poll Dorset rams are going over first-cross ewes to produce prime lambs, while the Southdowns are going into a lot of composite flocks," she said.
The top-priced $6000 Southdown ram, Lot 132, Shellal 250171, was purchased by David Russell, Chasm Park Southdown stud, Stowport, Tas.
The ram had a terminal carcase production index of 117, a post-weaning eye muscle depth of 2.03, and he was in the top 10 per cent for intramuscular fat at 0.19.
Chasm Park stud principal David Russell said it was his first time purchasing a ram from the stud.
"I've bought ewes from them before and I really liked this ram's overall capacity, muscling, hindquarter and pedigree," Mr Russell said.
"There is a ram on the dam side of his pedigree that I've used previously with great results, and that was a major drawcard.
"I've been chasing a bit more punch and carcase in my sheep.
"This ram has exceptional genetic figures and is exactly the animal I've been looking for."
Mr Russell runs the stud in partnership with his 14-year-old grandson Angus Summers to encourage the next generation into the industry, and plans to join the ram to their stud Southdown ewes in March.
"I'm really keen to get the kids involved," he said.
The three top-priced $3200 Poll Dorset rams included Lot 1, Shellal 250176, bought by Carnoah Pastoral Company, Inverleigh.
The ram was described as tall and upstanding and in the top 5pc of the breed for post-weaning fat.
Michael Holmes, Carnoah Pastoral Company, said the ram would be joined to Border Leicester/Merino ewes.
"We just like the extra length transferred into our prime lambs," he said.
Lot 2, Shellal 200331, was bought by Neil and Briony Robertson, Gledfield Ag, Ararat, and described as a solid ram.
The ram was in the top 5pc of the breed for weaning and post-weaning weight and lean meat yield.
Mr Robertson said the Poll Dorset ram would be joined to a flock of 1500 first-cross ewes in November.
"The Shellal rams seem to hold up and perform well and we like their longevity," he said.
Meanwhile, Lot 7, Shellal 250112, was bought by M & S Powell, Ballarat.
That ram's dam was sired by Shellal Elvis through artificial insemination, a ram that won supreme exhibit at Sheepvention in 2004 and was reserve champion at the Australian Sheep & Wool Show in Bendigo that same year.
Among the volume buyers was Nutrien Casterton livestock manager Rick Smith, who bought 10 rams on behalf of Waterloo Ag, Mount Gambier, SA.
Nutrien auctioneer Nick Farley said the sale drew broad support across western Victoria, driven by six decades of buyer loyalty.
"It was very strong and well supported locally through to Ballarat, Casterton, Avoca and Ararat," Mr Farley said.
"The stud has bred Dorsets for 60 years and developed a really good following and many of their repeat clients are seeing great results."
