Moora Hills Poll Dorset rams bred for more than one market

It was this "Moora trifecta" that brought the buyer of the top-priced ram to its annual sale.

Lot 1 sold for $1850 to Penola Park Estate, Mt Gambier, SA, one of two rams purchased by manager Sam Chapman.

The ram, Moora Hills 18-049, had a 10.8-kilogram weaning weight, 15.7kg post weaning weight, -1.3 millimetres fat, 1.2mm eye muscle depth and a carcase plus index of 199.5.

While Penola Park Estate was a new buyer, it had some experience with Moora.

"We bought a pup from Barry [Price], that led to us buying a really nice polled bull and so we thought we'd take a look at their rams as well," Mr Chapman said.

"We liked their figures and the way they looked and stood, we're looking forward to having them delivered to see how they go."

David Spring, DE, CB and GD Spring, Macarthur, bought five rams and said the family had been buying Moora Hills rams for a decade.

"They're acclimatised to our cold, wet climate unlike northern sheep, which don't stand up to the conditions as well," he said.

"They're as good as any Dorset you can buy at present."

Moora Hills stud principal Linton Price said he "couldn't fault the sale".

"It was great to see so many loyal clients and some new faces in the stands, which shows the word is getting out that we're doing a good job," he said.

Moora Hills bred well-structured sheep with good muscle while maintaining lambing ease and, although Poll Dorsets were terminal sires, wool was not overlooked.

"Having a good Downs-type wool opens opens up all avenues for trade, domestic and export markets," he said.

Mr Price had just bought a $12,000 Aberdeen, Henty, NSW, ram.

"The ram is in the top 1 per cent for weaning weight, post weaning weight and carcase-plus," he said.

"He's in the top 5pc for TCP, muscle and eating quality.

"It reflects our confidence in the meat job and commitment to improving."