JANMAC Poll Dorset and White Suffolk stud soared to a new record average of $1643 at its 13th annual production sale on Wednesday last week at Goroke, Vic.
Despite adding a few more rams to the offering, the Hausler family eclipsed their 2016 average by $348 with a total clearance of 184 well-grown, paddock-prepared rams.
The sale topped at $5000, but such was the consistency of the bidding they all made $1200 or more. More than three quarters of the rams sold between $1400 and $1800.
The 54 registered bidders included many long-term regulars who appreciated the quality of the rapid growing lambs the Janmac rams produce. Seven new buyers also made a significant impact on the result.
One of these was Haydn Lines, Benealla Poll Dorset stud, Keith, who paid the $5000 top price for lot 3, Janmac 160139.
Mr Lines was outbid by the Hauslers at the recent Kurralea sale in NSW on two rams he liked so decided to attend their sale.
The 139-kilogram sale-topper had the equal highest eye muscle depth measurement of 47 millimetres.
Wayne Ladson, Millview stud, Mincha West, Vic, was not far behind, paying $4800 two lots later for Janmac 160393, with the same muscle measurement and only slightly lighter in bodyweight than the sale-topper.
Twenty-two specially-selected Poll Dorset rams sold as single lots at the start of the sale averaged a very solid $2282.
Alternating runs of Poll Dorset and White Suffolk flock rams followed in pens of two, with the 130 Poll Dorsets topping at $2200 and averaging $1587, while the 32 White Suffolks topped at $1900 and averaged $1431.
Seven buyers took home 10 or more rams, putting real strength in the middle ground of the sale.
The sale’s volume buyer was long-term regular clients Kevin and Damian Merrett, Glendonald Pastoral, Apsley, Vic.
The Merretts went to the $2200 flock ram top in their $1879 average for 14 Poll Dorsets.
They market about 5500 export weight lambs annually and appreciate how the bloodlines perform.
Not far behind in buying volume with 13 Poll Dorsets to $1900, averaging $1585, was Karinya Farms, Poolaijelo, Vic.
First-time Janmac buyer Brian Johnson, LS Johnson & Son, Naracoorte, averaged $1630 for 10 Poll Dorset rams.
Kirsty Flower, Morambro Pastoral, Frances, was another new buyer, selecting 10 Poll Dorsets for a $1570 average. NW&EE Teate, Naracoorte, averaged $1570 for the same number.
The buying pressure flowed on to the White Suffolks, with the 32 averaging $1431 – a lift of $260 in average from 2016.
KP Farms, Naracoorte, paid the $1900 top price in the White Suffolks. It was for one of four White Suffolks they bought along with four Poll Dorsets.
Stud co-principal Grant Hausler said the competition for the first 100 rams was as strong as previous years despite an extra 14 rams being offered.
“I think the amazing result was really a case of the stars aligning; the great season, the strength of the lamb market and the quality of genetics we have been building towards for a long time,” he said.
Landmark and Rodwells conducted the sale with Richard Miller and Wayne Driscoll the auctioneers.
Courtesy of Janine Elen, Stock Journal.
