Janmac rams hit $7500 despite border woes in one of stud's top sales

A big crowd of local buyers joined online bidders at Janmac Poll Dorset and White Suffolk stud to witness 137 Poll Dorset rams sell to a top of $7500, with a strong average of $1969, while 36 White Suffolk rams hit $3500 to average $1477.

Competition was strong in the top-end of the catalogue with a group of stud ram buyers setting the pace early despite a last-minute border bubble change affecting the attendance of a regular group of South Australian bidders and having some impact on the day's clearance rate.

Janmac stud co-principal Grant Hausler, who runs the stud with his brother Bryce, said he was particularly pleased with the top-end rams with 10 lots bound for stud use.

"We promoted them and had great results," he said.

"We had an individually higher top sale last year but there were two at $7500, another at $7000 and other strong sales for the highest stud ram average we've ever had.

"It was a great result to see such a consistent average for very good rams."

While Poll Dorset rams sold to a higher price, Mr Hausler described the White Suffolk group as the best they had offered to date.

"There's no doubt the South Australian border issue coming in three days before our sale played a big part in a lower clearance," he said.

"We couldn't get agents or clients over to visually inspect rams so you lose competition.

"We were absolutely rapt with the sales and most registered bidders bought which is fantastic as it shows our regular buyers kept buying."

Two Poll Dorset rams shared the top-price honours of $7500 twice and both are destined for South Australia.

Lot 4, JM 124, sired by Kurralea 234-16 sold to Ian Fennell, Wongabeen, Penola, SA, and Lot 7, JM 292, a son of Mallee Park 36-18 was bought by Nathan Geue, Vanita stud in Kingston, SA.

Mr Fennell said he bought the top two rams three years ago from Janmac and was happy to return.

"I couldn't get there because of the border situation but I saw them on AuctionsPlus," he said.

"Lot 7 was a solid ram with good hind quarters.

"Everything was good about him and I want to get a bit more weight in the lambs and I think he's the ram that will do that."

Leading the volume buyer group was the Rich family, Goroke, who took home 20 Poll Dorset rams, paying a top price of $2000 for Lots 16 and 18, respectively.

Volume buyer Glen Rowe from Gymbowen purchased 12 Poll Dorset rams.

"I normally buy off Janmac and know their rams are quite good, even further down the line," he said.

"There were quite a few people there and I didn't know how I'd go but it worked out well.

"They're very good over cross-bred sheep in breeding the perfect fat lamb."

Twelve Poll Dorset rams are also on their way to the Robinson family's operation at Edenhope.

Successful bidders, Stobo Farms, Miga Lake, took home the pick of the White Suffolk group buying Lot 117, JM751 for a breed top-price of $3000, and Lot 110 for $2500.

Luke Stobo said it was the second year they had used Janmac.

"We were very happy with the lambs on the ground," he said.

"They're good size rams and we're happy with how quickly we're able to turn lambs off."

AWN Edenhope branch manager David Hanel said there was a very good overall average despite a few lots being passed in.

"The repeat buyers stood up again and purchased rams they know are going to produce quality lambs," Mr Hanel said.

He said a lot of the top rams would be going over first cross ewes with producers looking for quick growth for their lambs to turn off as quickly as possible at the highest possible weight.

"Janmac rams are used extensively in local prime lamb operations and they do achieve that quick growth rate and there's no problem finishing off as shorn lambs later on," he said.

"The border restrictions imposed a few days before the auction had affected attendance rates, but AuctionsPlus certainly filled the void for those who could purchase online".