Yentrac sells top-priced Poll Dorset ram for $4600 to Marong stud

The sale-topping Poll Dorset ram was bought by a central Victorian stud, while new and return buyers competed for a share in the three breeds which also included a draft of Southdowns.

The Tatura stud sold 66 Poll Dorset rams to $4600 to average $1825, 21 White Suffolks to $2400 or average $1552 and 16 of 22 Southdown rams to $2300 to average $1606.

Yentrac Prime Lamb Sires stud principal Rob McCartney said there was a ram for everyone.

"There were a number of buyers from numerous places and that kept it quite buoyant," he said.

"It was the best average we've had and it's probably the best top-price for this sale because we have another sale at Burrumbeet in three weeks' time."

The strong demand for meat sires was reflected in the stud's overall result, with an estimated 30 per cent of the buyers believed to be first-time clients.

"The lamb market is driving it and I think there might be a few more ewes out there too after a few better seasons," Mr McCartney said.

The top-priced Poll Dorset ram, Lot 3, went under the hammer for $4600 and was bought by Paul Brown, Derby Downs stud, Marong.

It ram was sired by Springwaters 70/18, a ram Yentrac bought from the NSW stud in October 2019 for $11,000.

The sire has attracted a number of gongs at the Australian Sheep and Wool Show and Sydney Royal.

"He's done a good job for us over our ewes and we're always looking to improve or pick up a ram that will enhance the flock," Mr McCartney said.

The ram was out of Yentrac 401/18 and had a muscle depth of 56mm, a width of 108mm and an EMA 46.56mm.

Mr Brown said the ram would be joined to his stud Poll Dorset ewes at the start of November.

"He was a nice, moderate, correct ram with a good carcase on him," he said.

"I buy on looks and appearance and also looked at his figures but he also walked well and stood correctly so conformation is very important."

It was the first time Derby Downs had bought a ram from Yentrac, having previously used the stud's semen for artificial insemination.

The sale attracted 40 registered buyers and included volume buyers Gantag Pty Ltd, Avenel, which bought 11 rams including four Poll Dorsets and seven White Suffolks.

Gantag owns Booroola at Avenel and its manager, James Ridway, bought the Poll Dorsets to $1900 twice and White Suffolks to $1700.

"It's the first time I've bought rams from Yentrac since I've been with Booroola but (I have) previously when I was working at Ballarat," Mr Ridgway said.

"The rams have great width and I've never had any issues with them and they have plenty of eye muscle and their overall conformation is very good."

Mr Ridgway said the rams would be joined to a flock of 2000 Merino ewes on January 1.

Chris Tobin, Mount Camel, was also among the volume buying group with 10 rams while five other buyers bought six lots, respectively.

Representing agent Nutrien Yea livestock manager Tyson Bush said the buoyancy of the sale reflected producers' confidence.

"It was probably a bit above expectations and that's because of the tops of the rams and the consistency of the draft," he said.

"Suckers are making $280-$300 which is good money, wool is good, mutton is good and no rams means no lambs.

"The older generations used to work on 10 lambs to a ram and 10 calves to a bull but if you're lambs are making $250 that's $2500 and that's where the money was on Wednesday."