Jews Harp Poll Dorset stud had high spring ram sale clearance

Jews Harp Poll Dorset stud principal Michael O'Sullivan said his two sons followed in his footsteps with their Border Leicester and White Suffolk rams offered as well.

Mr O'Sullivan said he was proud of the efforts of his sons, with Mission White Suffolk stud owned by Anthony O'Sullivan and Baynton Border Leicester stud owned by Martin O'Sullivan.

"I'm thrilled with the sale, I was really happy with the result and the repeat buyers have come back and supported us," he said.

"We had a few new ones too, which is always lovely to see."

Jews Harp Poll Dorset stud cleared all 119 rams on offer with top-priced ram Lot 4 selling for $2300 and averaging $1640.

Mission White Suffolk stud cleared all 20 rams to a $1700 top twice and $1100 average, while Baynton Border Leicester stud sold 48 of 60 to $2000 twice and a $1042 average.

Lot 4 was sold to Anthony Barri, A & K Barri, Glenhope East, who said he had been following that ram's sire progeny for some time.

Mr Barri said he was impressed by the ram's "general shape and length of body".

"I've been buying off of that sire for a number of years," he said.

With a flock of 500 Merino ewes, and about 500 first-cross ewes, Mr Barri said his new ram would be put over first-cross ewes to continue consistency among progeny.

Lot 4 is sired by J 424, had a birth weight of 0.42 kilograms, a weaning weight of 10.8kg and a post-weaning weight of 16.4kg.

A loyal repeat buyer of the Jews Harp stud, and more widely the O'Sullivan family's rams, was Wes Stott from Bungeeltap, Glenhope, he purchased 17 rams at the sale on behalf of Brigid and Hugh Robertson, Bolobek.

Mr Stott said he was looking for a low birth weight and rams that looked true to type for the breed, of the 17 rams purchased four were Border Leicester and 13 were Poll Dorset.

"These animals are true to type and when you take them home they don't fall apart," Mr Stott said.