*229 of 250 Poll Dorset rams sold to $2800, av $1107
*68 of 70 Southdown rams sold to $2300, av $1248
BUYERS from as far as Tasmania swooped up 93 per cent of Athlone Poll Dorset and Southdown stud offering, during its on property sale at Penshurst..
The top price of $2800 was paid by P & M Munn, Woorndoo, for lot one, an autumn-drop ram sired by Rene 432/17.
The ram had EBV's of .34 for birthweight (BWT), 8.3 for weaning weight (WWT), 12.0 for post weaning weight (PWT) and a terminal carcase percentile (TCP) of 122.2.
In total, 229 of 250 Poll Dorset rams sold to $2800, for a breed average of $1107, while 68 of 70 Southdown rams hit $2300 peak, and average $1248.
Founded in 1990, with Southdowns added to the operation in 2015, to improve production in the modern commercial sheep flocks, stud principal Henry Cameron said the Southdowns sold to strong demand while the Poll Dorsets achieved a good clearance.
Elders Mortlake agent Hayden Lanyon said the Munn family, who were first time purchasers at the sale, would use the top priced ram over Poll Dorset ewes to breed rams for their six thousand-head first-cross ewe operation. They were looking for the best phenotype ram on the day, and found that he had the best confirmation, depth of hindquarter and was square over the loin.
Andrew Gunn, Kerr and Co, Hamilton, on behalf of clients Peter and Anna Delhany, Murroa East Pastoral Co, Hamilton, secured the top price Southdown ram for $2300, as well as three additional rams to average $2075.
Lot 258, was a son of Kirkdale 206/17 had an ESB's of a BWT of .21, a WWT of 6.4, a PWT of 9.1, TCP 104.1 and post weaning fat (PFAT) figure of -0.6.
Mr Gunn was also purchasing on behalf of two volume buyers, representing Victoria and Tasmania.
His Launceston client purchased 35 Poll Dorset rams for an average of $1042 and 20 Southdown rams for $1125.
Brady Hicks, Elders Kerr and Co, Hamilton, said the Launceston client went "pretty hard", which set the pace for the day.
"They purchased heavily to up their level on their prime lambs over their maidens," Mr Hicks said.
"That's the beauty of these rams that have plenty of meat and muscle but not overly big."
Mr Gunn was also purchasing on behalf of Moyne Falls, Macarthur, who purchased 15 Southdowns for an average of $1226.
Other volume buyers were S.A Dridan, Lake Goldsmith, (nine Poll Dorsets) for an average of $1544, while P & L Lewis, Koroit, purchased nine Poll Dorsets averaging $1200, Greenleaf Crop and Pasture, Glenthompson, purchased six Poll dorsets for a $916 average and Weeran Pastoral, Byaduk, purchased their five Southdowns for an average of $1500.
The sale was conducted by Elders Kerr and Co, Hamilton. Zac Van Wegen and Craig Pertzel were the auctioneers.
