TOP-PRICED poll Dorset rams will be put to work breeding Loddon sheep for the export market.
Newbridge farmer John Steel paid $1600 on two rams at Friday’s Derby Downs Poll Dorset Stud sale.
Mr Steel, who also was the leading bidder on a third ram at $900, led a strong contingent of local buyers at the Marong stud’s auction.
Western District buyers were noticeably absent this year as that region grapples with the effects of a prolonged green drought.
Auctioneers and bidders rated Friday’s offering as the best draft presented by Derby Downs stud in its 60-plus years.
Mr Steel said: “They are good rams and I am happy with the buys today of good stock ... it’s Don McKinnon’s best line up in years.”
He said the rams would be put over first cross ewes based on Merinos and border Leicester’s. Mr Steel has also introduced white Suffolk rams bought from Mr McKinnon’s niece Rosemary for their easy birthing attributes. “I will be joining the Dorset rams into 1500 ewes and hoping they will be productive ... a couple of thousand (second cross) lambs,” he said.
Salisbury West’s Ken Canfield purchased four rams at the sale, the first attended by one of Derby Downs’ long-time buyers.
“I’ve been buying here for 20 years and thought it was time to come to the auction,” Mr Canfield said.
Inglewood stock agents FP Nevins and Co bought seven rams for clients at the auction conducted by Elders.
The auction highlighted a tough market with sale stopping three-quarters of the way through 90 lots. Buyers bought 44 rams for an average of $907.95. Last year’s  sale had a top price of $3200 for a sale average of $1127.12.
Mr McKinnon said he had been happy with the draft presented and while the clearance was disappointing, buyers had picked up quality rams.
- CHRIS EARL