Renewed positivity in the lamb industry and continued support of good genetics was evident at the Janmac annual on-property ram sale on Wednesday.
The Hausler family achieved a stud record high price for a Poll Dorset, as well as a very solid clearance across both breeds.
Of the 144 Poll Dorsets offered, 136 sold to average $1549 – nearly $300 more than the previous sale – to a top price of $13,000.
The top ram, lot 5 Janmac 230348, was purchased by Charles Koch of Tallageira Pastoral Co from Frances, South Australia.
The ram was a twin by Ulandi Park 210217, weighing 136kg with an eye muscle depth of 52mm and 10mm of fat.
It also had an impressive post-weaning weight ASBV figure of 15.84, the highest in the catalogue.
Janmac co-principal Grant Hausler said the ram would be going over a Poll Dorset ewe flock, having sold to a large commercial operation that bred their own rams.
“There was quite a bit of interest in him from a few parties, he was just a great carcass sheep, with wonderful loin and hindquarter and a really good Dorset type,” he said.
“It was also a well-boned, correct ram – one of the most complete rams we’ve bred.”
The stud also offered 36 White Suffolk rams, selling 34 at auction for an average of $1260 and to a top price of $2300.
That was for lot 157, a twin ram weighing 118kg with a Lambplan Total Carcass Production index of 141, and was picked up by Craig Hole and family, from KP Farms, Naracoorte, SA.
The Hole family of KP Farms picked up 11 rams total averaging $1718.
Grant Hausler said they were very pleased to welcome six new clients, all who found the rams they were looking for, as well as a good number of volume buyers.
“We had 43 registered bidders, with nine clients who purchased more than seven rams, and four who took more than 10, so it was a great spread of buyers,” Grant added.
One of the new clients were also volume buyers, with the Martin Family, Horsham, Victoria, picking up seven rams for a great value average of $857, while the West family, Westwood, Edenhope, purchased 13 rams for an average of $1500, paying to $2200 three times.
Selecting 11 rams was the Robinson Family, Edenhope, Victoria, for an average of $1218 and top of $1400, and long-time buyers the Rich family, Goroke, paying to $1300 and averaging $1127.
Grant Hausler said after a very tough 12 months of poor lamb prices and tough seasons, they were very happy with the sale result.
“It was a year that those sheep that were visually appealing sold really well, we pride ourselves on those type of sheep and they sold accordingly – we made a big effort in a difficult year to make sure they were up to their usual standard , and the group was as good as they’ve been,” he said.
“And the most positive thing was that the people who attended were prepared to invest in the future and look forward to the coming years with confidence – and I am really positive the next few years will see great results.
“We’ve got a reliable clientele that don’t chop and change with trends and prices, they do what they’ve always done and what has always worked for them, which has included our genetics.”
The Hausler family boosted their own sire battery prior to the sale, purchasing Mallee Park 230255 privately from the Ferguson family at Hopetoun, Victoria.
The ram was the grand champion Poll Dorset ram at this year’s Royal Adelaide Show, by Pepperton 210136.
“We were lucky enough to secure the ram from Mallee Park, as well as another Kurralea sire for our stud this year – we continue to invest in genetics that can hold our positions and move us forward,” Grant said.
Story courtesy of Jamie-Lee Oldfield, Stock & Land
