TATTYKEEL Poll Dorset stud has again etched its name in the history books, reaching a new Australian Poll Dorset ram sale record average of $8700 during the stud's 45th annual stud sale yesterday at Black Springs, near Oberon.
Despite challenging selling conditions, the Gilmore family of Tattykeel stud sold 20 rams under the hammer of the 24 on offer, with action from the stands and keen online buyers from NSW and interstate driving prices to a $24,000 top and the new record average of $8700.
Kicking off the ram offering, the three lead stud sires attracted spirited bidding and averaged an impressive $20,000.
Tattykeel ET190467 was the $24,000 top-priced ram purchased by return client Kerry Davis, Ooluroo stud, Boho, Vic via AuctionsPlus.
A full embryo-transfer brother to the Tattykeel keeper ram in Tattykeel Benchmark, he was out of Tattykeel 170059 who has a credible past being the supreme ewe at the 2018 Sydney Royal Show and NSW Dubbo Sheep Show.
He weighed 135 kilograms with an eye muscle depth (EMD) of 56 millimetres, an eye muscle width (EMW) of 107mm, an eye muscle area (EMA) of 46.13 square centimetres and fat depth of 7mm.
Long-term local client David Artery of Springburn Poll Dorsets, Oberon paid the equal second top price of $18,000 for Tattykeel 190043.
Sired by Tattykeel Jackpot and going back to Tattykeel Immortal on the dam's side, he was an April-born triplet that weighed 145kg with an EMD of 63mm, EMW of 112mm, EMA of 54.33 sq cm and fat depth of 10mm.
Looking for strong Dorset traits and quality, Mr Artery selected the ram visually not off any measurements for his soundness, type and depth of body.
"He is a little more traditional style of Dorset ... he is deep and not overly lengthy which suits turning off lambs quick and the early maturing type," he said.
"We hope to produce offspring with the likeness of this sheep, that will create depth to the breeding stock we have and provide genetics that it do themselves."
Mr Artery only started his stud 12 months ago after always having interest in that side of things. He has around 74 stud ewes as well as a commercial flock of first cross ewes that run alongside his Hereford cattle operation.
Runs of lambs are sold through the Central Tablelands Livestock Exchange (CTLX), Carcoar with previous offerings well sought-after resulting in the Artery's achieving high prices in the past.
"The genetics do it themselves, you don't need to put much into them and they get there and present well," he said.
Mr Artery was also the only successful ewe purchaser in attendance of the sale, taking home nine stud ewes for a $1311. He was chasing Tattykeel Jackpot and Tattykeel Masterstroke bloodlines.
Online action from Kelvin Fitzgerald through Elders Mildura, Vic saw Tattykeel 190044 also make $18,000.
A ram used within the Tattykeel stud, he was an April-born son of Tattykeel 170363 and went back to Torque on the dam's side.
He weighed 137kg with an EMD of 64mm, EMW of 109mm, EMA of 53.71 sq cm and fat depth of 9mm.
Six rams sold for over $10,000, including Tattykeel 190237 sold to Narranmore Poll Dorsets, Elong Elong for $13,000, and Tattykeel 190270 sold to Kraywood Poll Dorsets, Manildra for $10,000.
Other studs featured in the buyers line-up including Avondale stud, Gilgandra, Gooramma stud, Galong, Ashburnia stud, Orange, Whetona Park stud, Ballimore, and Bexta stud, Loomberah.
Tattykeel's Graham Gilmore commented at the start of the sale that they were very pleased with the scans and quality of the rams put up, which had not had as much preparation due to there being no shows.
"We have held our ground, and haven't headed down the EBV (estimated breeding value) track," he said.
"We breed for type, quality and meat - if they've got meat on them, you'll see it."
EWE DEMAND HIGH ONLINE
An online fast-paced bidding frenzy had those in the stands unable to keep up in the ewe section, resulting in a full clearance of 40 stud ewes for a $1435 average.
The top money of $4250 was paid twice by Craig and Josh Graham of Glencorrie Poll Dorsets, Kangaroo Island, SA, for two stud show ewes.
Tattykeel ET 190028 was the April-born lead ewe that made $4250. She was by Tattykeel Legacy and out of Tattykeel 170066 who is a full embryo-transfer (ET) sister to Jackpot.
Also making $4250 was Tattykeel 190066, another April-born ewe that was a daughter of Jackpot and out of Tattykeel 150275.
The Glencorrie stud was dominate throughout the ewe auction, successfully purchasing 30 ewes (a quarter of the draft) for an average of $1510. They also purchased one ram, Tattykeel ET 190007, for $10,000.
Breaking the South Australian's stride was a buyer at St Helens, Vic, also through AuctionsPlus who snapped up one ewe at $1000.
James Gilmore of Tattykeel said they are very pleased with the results and the number of repeat clients.
"We are getting huge results, with our clients are not wanting EBVs," he said.
Tattykeel is concentrating on visual and structural soundness, and their clients are chasing that.
Sheep were sold to three states, with online bids also coming from prospective buyers in Tasmania.
The sale was conducted by Nutrien Bathurst with Miles Pfitzner, Adelaide, SA, as the auctioneer.
Read the full report from the Tattykeel stud sale and flock ram sale in next week's The Land newspaper.