*Total clearance of 50 Poll Dorset rams sold to $12,500, av $2493
*48 of 50 White Suffolk rams sold to $2600, av $1612
A RAM regarded by the stud that bred it more highly than its sire - already seen as one of Australia's top performers - has been sold for $12,500 by Pepperton Poll Dorset and White Suffolk stud, Elmore.
The Poll Dorset ram, Pepperton 113, was sired by Pepperton 180339.
The sale-topper was in the top 1 per cent for post-weaning eye muscle depth (PEMD), eating quality and Terminal Carcase Production (TCP) among the sale rams.
Pepperton stud co-principal Roger Trewick said the price was a reward for the time and effort put in over the years.
"The industry is great to be in at the moment," Mr Trewick said.
"The buyer was looking for the extreme muscle and his growth.
"He is not far behind his father, who is a leading ram in Australia on LAMBPLAN for muscle, but he has higher growth."
He said the sire, Pepperton 180339, was having a big influence in many studs around Australia.
The top-priced ram, Pepperton 113, had a birth weight of 0.29 kilograms, a weaning weight of 11.6kg and a post-weaning weight of 16.8kg.
His PEMD was 5.7 millimetres, he had a post-weaning fat measurement of -0.5 and an intramuscular fat of -0.7.
Pepperton 113's TCP figure was 168.89 and he recorded an eating quality of 160.32.
Mr Trewick said the stud had retained semen from the top-seller
"We believe if a ram is any good, he has got a son better than him and we think that's the case with Pepperton 113," he said.
"We were not surprised with the price, given the amount of interest in him."
The ram would go into the Meat Elite Australia progeny group - a group of Poll Dorset breeders who share genetics, progeny testing young sires to identify animals they believe will benefit the sheepmeat industry.
Ray White Livestock GTSM stud stock manager Michael Glasser said there was strong stud support at the sale.
"People are starting to appreciate Pepperton rams for their stud value," Mr Glasser said.
"Rams went everywhere from Camperdown to central NSW and all parts inbetween.
"A lot of the successful bidders were return buyers and there were quite a few new names as well."
He said the top price reflected where the industry was.
"There is a lot of confidence there and people are investing back in their own businesses," he said.
Andrew Miller
I'm a general reporter with Stock & Land, with a special interest in irrigation issues. I completed my cadetship, with the Age, in 1980. Over my career, I've worked for ABC radio news (Mt Isa, Qld) and at provincial and suburban newspapers.
I'm a general reporter with Stock & Land, with a special interest in irrigation issues. I completed my cadetship, with the Age, in 1980. Over my career, I've worked for ABC radio news (Mt Isa, Qld) and at provincial and suburban newspapers.
