CLIENTS' strong season in the marketplace sent ripple effects through the Konongwootong Dorsets annual sale, where the full house of 65 buyers pushed prices to $2800.
The high clearance, where nine out of 10 stud rams sold to $2800, averaging $2000, and 186 flock rams sold to $1700, av $1093, was attributed to clients' successful year.
The sale's major buyer was new client Rob Gardner, South Mokanger, Cavendish, who purchased 27 rams to $1200, av $1041.
Mr Gardner's top-price was paid for a September 2013-drop ram with a birthweight (BWT) 5.5 kilograms, weaning weight (WWT) 53.5kg and PFAT 1.34, as well as 14-month-old ram with a BWT 5kg, WWT 55kg and PFAT -1.09.
He said good growth rate was the dominating trait he was pursuing.
"Their clients' lambs have sold well because their Poll Dorset rams are breeding good lambs," Mr Gardner said.
"Last year's lamb prices have helped people be able to pay more because of the confidence in the market, however this season is making people wary."
Mr Gardner said he had put a strategy in place for the past three years to accommodate failed springs, where he weans lambs from his White Suffolk and Poll Dorset ewes a month earlier to maintain weight on the breeding ewes.
The Middleton family from Edenhope were competitive with their bidding, purchasing nine rams to $1000, av $906, through agent JM Ellis & Co.
The top-priced ram, K13-013 was reserve champion in the breed at this year's Sheepvention at Hamilton, and was purchased by G&K O'Connor, Strathdownie.
The 17-month-old ram boasted a post weaning weight 12.8kg and PFAT -0.93.
The O'Connor agents purchased four stud rams av $2038, including this year's supreme champion at the Balmoral Show.
Kerr & Co Hamilton livestock agent Shaun Mansbridge said the strong sale was a testament to the Konongwootong breeding program.
"The even line was evident with the active bidding from the start to the end pen with prices rarely having dipped below $1000," he said.
"All rams sales have been strong on the back of the lamb and sheep job that is still pointing towards further good news while the seasonal conditions haven't had a massive impact."
Stud co-principal Jess Sutherland said one of the drawcards to the sale was the delivery of rams' estimated breeding values as well as their actuals data.
"There was a really good line of rams this year with little difference in style from lot 11 to 200," Mrs Sutherland said.
"People understand that quality breeds quality – the sale results reflects people's optimism in the lamb industry despite the current tricky weather conditions.
"We invest in the best genetics we can afford and know that filters through to our clients' product."