*Total clearance of 72 rams to $2400, av $1880
PINORA Poll Dorsets, Heyfield, stud principal Kelvin Sunderman says he puts a higher top price and average than last year down to several simple factors.
Michael Bracecamp, Berrys Creek, paid $2400 for the top-priced ram, up $300 on last year.
"It was a good season and good lamb prices, more than anything, it's as simple as that," Mr Sunderman said.
"He scanned pretty well and he was a good scale sheep.
"There were quite a few similar type sheep in that run, but he happened to be the top price."
The top-selling ram weighed 109 kilograms, had a fat measurement of 5.7 millimetres, an eye muscle depth of 45mm and an eye muscle area of 38.8 square centimetres.
After a tight winter, Mr Sunderman said he was concerned the rams were not 'up to speed'.
"When we got the wool off them, they got a go on and presented quite well.
"In the last five or six weeks they just jumped out of their skin."
He said the Bracecamps had been good supporters of the Angus and Poll Dorset studs.
"The average this year was unbelievable, it was up about $500 on last year."
"That's just a sign of how well the lamb job is going."
The buyer of the top-priced ram, Michael Bracecamp, Berrys Creek said he liked the look of the "big, stretchy long" animal.
He said he'd been buying Pinora Poll Dorsets ever since the stud's first sale, about 15 years ago.
"They produce excellent lambs, we sell nearly all of them to Coles, on contract, and they fit in with those contracts," he said.
"The article proves itself and the rams last well."
He said he used Southdowns over his maiden ewes and the Pinora Poll Dorsets on two and a half year olds.
"There are no problems with lambing, they are a good weight and get up and going."
Nutrien Greenwood livestock agent Ian Baker said the rams went locally, into other parts of south and east Gippsland and around Sale.
"Locals like the Pinora rams, they are structurally sound and very good for breed type," Mr Baker said.
"There is an evenness through the whole flock and buyers like to put together a run of rams.
"They have meat in them and are very good sheep.