The Hausler family achieved a near total clearance on close to 200 rams, with 152 of 160 Poll Dorset rams averaging $1414 average, while all 35 White Suffolks averaged $1163.
The Poll Dorset average was back $274 on a red hot 2017 sale but was still up more than $150 on 2016.
Prime lamb breeders extended their budgets on the top end of the catalogue which had great carcase merit, with the first 40 Poll Dorsets rams averaging a stellar $2120.
Among these 12 specially selected rams, sold individually, averaged $2708
The evenness of the offering continued in the pick of the pairs, but in the latter half of the sale as competition waned there was plenty of rams sold between $700 and $900.
Two Poll Dorset rams made the $4400 equal top price- Lot 5 and Lot 11.
Lot 5, which was described by Landmark auctioneer Richard Miller as a “real class sheep” ,weighed 134 kilograms with an eye muscle depth of 47mm.
It was by homebred sire Janmac 134-15. Lot 11 had been used as a ram lamb in the Janmac stud and had the highest eye muscle depth scan in the catalogue at 50mm.
First time buyers Ian and Jill Fennell, Wongabeena stud, Penola, bought both sale toppers. In the White Suffolks, Landmark Naracoorte’s David Heinrich bought the $1600 top price ram for KP Farms.
The Lot 103 ram was sired by $8000 sire Anden 15222-15 and had a carcase plus index of 184.7. KP Farms bought six rams for a $1308 average.
Long time supporters Damian Merrett, Glendonald Pastoral Company, Apsley, Vic, took home 13 Poll Dorsets to $2700, averaging $2031.
S &R DiGiorgio & Sons, Lucindale, bought 15 Poll Dorsets in the top end to $2000, averaging $1540.
AG & LE Brook, Goroke,Vic, bought 12 Poll Dorsets averaging $1154 and nine White Suffolks averaged $1056.
McGinty Family Trust, Apsley, Vic, also bought both breeds with 19 Poll Dorsets for an $882 average and four White Suffolks averaging $875.
Mr Miller said the depth of quality, especially in the Poll Dorsets, was outstanding and proof the Hauslers’ investment in top genetics was paying off.
“The rams are renowned for their huge growth rates, amazing length of body and heavy bone which carries into great carcases,” he said.
“They are breeding rams with a great phenotype and which will produce lambs to fit both the trade and export markets.”
Rodwells Edenhope’s David Hanel said it was a very strong sale especially the top end where the top 50 rams made $200 to $300 more than 2017.
“A lot of people that have sold early have received close to $200 for lambs which is $30 to $40 better than this time last year,” he said.
Stud co-principal Grant Hausler said in the past week they had strengthened their sire battery with four high indexing rams with muscling and clean points.
They outlaid the $18,000 top price at Ulandi Park, Marrabel, in partnership with Kurralea stud, Ariah Park,NSW, and bought three rams at $5000 each from Kurralea and Kentish Downs, also in NSW and one from Vic stud Coledale.
Landmark and Rodwells conducted the sale with Mr Miller and Wayne Driscoll the auctioneers.
Courtesy of Catherine Miller, Stock Journal.
