The ram was one of 50 White Suffolk and 50 Poll Dorset rams offered at the Pepperton Farms Poll Dorset and White Suffolk stud sale and stage one ewe dispersal.
A mainly South Australian syndicate beat Victorian and NSW bidders to pay the new record of $10,600 for Lot 51, which ranked in the top one per cent of the breed for muscling, LEQ and TCP.
Hosted by the Trewick family on-property, the sale and dispersal drew 65 registered buyers and was interfaced with AuctionsPlus.
A total of 43 Poll Dorset rams were sold from the 50 bringing a top of $3600 and average of $1386, and 28 White Suffolk sold to the top of $10,600 and average of $1093.
In the ewe dispersal, 110 Poll Dorset ewes sold to a top price of $4600 with an average of $654, and 44 White Suffolk ewes sold to a top price of $3200 and an average of $489.
Gemini Prime Lamb stud principal Craig Mitchell was part of the record-breaking syndicate and said the mix of superior data and ram’s carcase quality and muscle impressed the buyers.
“The ram will go into an AI centre for semen collection and then to Bundara Downs,” Mr Mitchell said.
In the ewe dispersal, Lot 109, a Poll Dorset ewe ranking in the top one per cent for post eye weaning muscle depth and terminal carcase production sold for the top price of $4600 to Lachie Kelly, Ivadene and LSK studs, Hexham, Victoria.
Mr Kelly runs 1200 ewes of three breeds across two studs and has had good success using semen from Pepperton 303/20. He also paid the second-top price of $3000 in the Poll Dorset ewe offering.
“I didn’t want to miss a good opportunity,” Mr Kelly said.
Linda Fawns of Saber Sheep Stud, Deniliquin, paid the top price in the Poll Dorset ram offering of $3600 for Lot 4, which ranked in the top 1 per cent of the breed for post weaning weight and terminal carcase production.
The spring 2023 drop ram also ranked in the top five per cent of all Poll Dorsets in the country for muscle.
“This ram has exceptional weaning and post weaning weight and really good eye muscle,” Ms Fawns said.
“We have bought Pepperton rams before and they have performed well.
“We also use a lot of Pepperton semen in our AI program so this was a great opportunity.”
The second stage of the Pepperton ewe dispersal will be held in March 2025 and the final sale of rams and 2024 drop ewes in October 2025.
Pepperton also has rams available for private treaty; details can be found at www.pepperton.com.au
25°C