*21 of 39 rams sold to $1700, av $1138
DESPITE there being a limited field of buyers, rams still sold to three different states at Stirling Dohne stud's annual ram sale last Thursday.
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There were 39 rams offered for sale and 21 sold to a top price of $1700 and an average price of $1138.
The top-priced ram - Lot 6 - was purchased by Noel Clear, Clear Investments, Bracknell, Tasmania.
Mr Clear is a repeat buyer to the Stirling Dohne stud, however, due to restrictions he utilised the Nutrien stud stock network to purchase rams.
"We selected the rams and then had Stephen Chalmers assess the rams we had selected and identify the ones that wouldn't suit our operation," he said.
"It was very unusual to be sitting at the kitchen table bidding on the rams this year."
Mr Clear has been using Dohnes in his commercial operation for the last six years, breeding self-replacing ewes to breed fat lambs.
"We have been coming back to Stirling due to the nice, white wool and how the sheep suit our environment down here in Tasmania," he said.
"We will use the rams purchased to help turn off fat lambs at 12 months of age."
The August 2019-drop embryo transfer (ET) ram, sired by ST 140079, recorded Australian Sheep Breeding Values (ASBVs) of 12.2 for Yearling Fleece Weight (YCFW) and a Dams Lifetime Maintenance Ratio (DLMR) of 92 per cent.
Mr Clear also purchased another August 2019-drop ET ram which is in the top 10pc for Post Weaning Eye Muscle Depth (PEDM) and DLMR.
The biggest volume buyer of the day was Leigh Heard, Ballantrae Partnership, Glenthompson, who bought 10 rams to the second top price of $1600 and an average of $1080.
"We've been coming here to purchase rams for five or six years after we made the change from horned Merinos to Dohnes about seven years ago," he said.
"We plan to use the progeny from the rams we purchased to join to Texel rams, for the fat lamb trade."
The September 2019-drop ram was also sired by ST1400079 and was in the top 10pc for YCFW and DLMR, recording figures of 25.0 and 96pc respectively.
Stirling stud principal Murray Rogerson thanked all purchasers at the conclusion of the sale.
The sale format was changed from a helmsman style auction to a live auction.
"It was a bit tough, but it was a great result," he said.
"Exceeding last year's average by $200 was terrific."
