Gooramma Poll Dorset stud sold rams to buyers across four states and even further afield to Brazil during their annual ram sale held at Galong near Boorowa today.
Overall it was a full clearance for the Corcoran family who sold 52 rams under the single hammer system to a top of $13,500 and average of $4846, and 86 rams under the double hammer system for an average of $2244.
Interest from a number of leading studs drove prices to five figures, but a sale highlight was international buyer Mr Homero from Rancho Miguel Poll Dorset stud, Brazil operating through the draft.
RELATED READING: Gooramma Poll Dorset's 2020 sale results
Purchasing two rams at $10,000 each, Mr Homero had previously used Gooramma genetics exclusively within Brazil and is taking the next step to purchase rams.
He purchased lot 2, Gooramma 133-2020, a twin-born May-drop son of Gooramma 80-2018, and lot 4, Gooramma 495-2020, a June-drop Gooramma 'Guru' 308-2016 son.
The sale top price of $13,500 was paid by Ashbank Poll Dorset stud, Dubbo and Barwon Poll Dorset stud, Yerong Creek for lot 29, Gooramma 87-2020.
A twin-born May-drop ram sired by Valma 44-2017, he weighed 131 kilograms with an eye muscle depth (EMD) of 59 millimetres, an eye muscle width (EMW) of 110mm, an eye muscle area (EMA) of 50 square centimetres and a fat depth of 9mm.
Exhibiting a balanced set of estimated breeding values (EBVs) the ram had a 0.23 birthweight (BWT), a 7.96 weaning weight (WWT), a 13.07 post weaning weight (PWT), a 3.55 post weaning eye muscle depth (PEMD), a 0.57 post weaning fat (PFAT) and Terminal Carcase Production Index of (TCP) of 143.
The early growth, depth and Dorset type of the top ram was what drew the buyers in.
"I like his Dorset type and features, and his good balanced figures," repeat buyer Mr Dixon said. "He will be used over well-balanced figured ewes within our stud. He has good eye muscle so will be put over high-growth ewes."
Mr Dixon also purchased lot 30, Gooramma 85-2020, for $6500.
Mark Yates of Barwon stud also purchased lot 9, Gooramma 42-2020 for $12,000. Also by the Valma sire, he was a single-born May-drop which weighed 137kg.
Brooklyn Park Poll Dorset stud, Eugowra purchased the $13,000 second top-priced ram, lot 18, Gooramma 299-2020, a single-born June-drop ram sired by Derrynock 12-2018. A share in this ram was also sold to Estjam Poll Dorsets, Woolsthorpe, Vic.
Weighing 132kg with an EMD of 51mm, an EMW of 106mm, and EMA of 41.6 sq am and fat depth of 8mm, the ram had a BWT of 0.44, a WWT of 8.98, PWT of 12.95, PEMD of 2.53, PFAT of -9.19 and TCP of 140.
Brendan Mansbridge of Brooklyn Park stud said the lot 18 ram was a true to type, very structurally correct ram with good feet and legs.
"I liked his Dorset head. He is a well-balanced sheep that handles himself well, has depth of body, depth of flank and depth of hindquarter," he said.
"He is a sheep that will complement the line of ewes we have bred out of (Gooramma) 682 - a ram we bought in 2019 - whose daughters are coming in this year.
"Yesterday [Thursday] we lost (Gooramma) Ribeye 220-2017, so we were chasing a ram to go over the 682 daughters and we thought this ram would complement them, adding style and growth."
Gooramma co-principal James Corcoran Jnr said the sale was backed by regular clients and new faces looking at early maturing rams, and second time buyers that were happy with how the progeny of previous rams they had purchased are looking.
"The line-up of rams reflect what we are trying to achieve in our breeding program, and it is satisfying that what we are doing is what our clients want," Mr Corcoran said.
"We have always aimed to provide rams that are fit and healthy, and ready to use as soon as our clients get them home.
"While we are using as many breeding tools as possible, we are still keeping a close eye of muscle and early maturity to ensure those traits are always coming through.
"Rams with muscle shape, that were moderate with fat cover and early fleshing ability sold sell."
The sale was conducted by Bassingthwaighte Livestock and Property Marketing (BLM), Cootamundra, and Nutrien with auctioneers Rick Power and Tim Woodham of Nutrien, and Lach Bassingthwaighte of BLM.
- Read the full repot in next week's The Land newspaper.
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