Total clearance for Morton studs in 40th annual ram sale

Stud principals Scott and Emily Davidson achieved a total clearance of their 208 stud and flock Border Leicester and Poll Dorset rams for a $1422 average.

In comparison, in 2016, 183 rams from the two breeds averaged $1338.

It was a vote of confidence in the Davidsons, who bought the stud from Emily’s father John, early last year.  

Despite being one of the final sales there were plenty of volume orders from the Murraylands to the South East, which buoyed the result.

Noted first-cross ewe breeder Greg Fisher, Clover Ridge, Marcollat, set a high benchmark early, selecting seven rams for a $2429 average, including two stud prospects at $2500 each.

Bimbimbie Props, Wattle Range, took home 10  Border Leicester rams averaging $1780, for two buying accounts.

Elders Millicent’s David Little, who was shuffling bidding cards all sale, was successful on 14 Border Leicester rams averaging $829 for Famasoz, and 29 Poll Dorsets and Borders for JL&LM Sutherland.

The six Poll Dorset stud rams had exceptional carcase shape and averaged $2433, including the two $3000 sale-toppers.

Both were bought by studs, with Leigh Allan, Naracoorte, securing the first – lot 201 – for KSM&GS Davis, Sutherland Hills, Dergholm, Vic.

The May 2016-drop was a son of Gloroy 552-12, which Morton had bought for $6500.

Elders Naracoorte’s Alan Thomson put in the winning bid for lot 203 for WG&SE Butler, Yarrabera, Penola.

The May 2016-drop, Valma 22-12-sired ram impressed with its muscle and good, sirey head.

Buyers upped the ante on the Poll Dorset flock rams, with many already selling crossbred lambs for more than $1/kg more than the same time in 2016.

But there were still opportunities for those with more modest budgets between $800 and $1000.

Brian Johnson, LS Johnson & Son, Naracoorte, was a dominant force, buying 20 Poll Dorsets to a $1900 high, averaging $1550.

Mrs Davidson said the family were “ecstatic” to have prices to suit everyone’s budgets.

“It is lovely to see repeat buyers, some who have been coming for 40 years, but also some new buyers despite it being the last sale – some people have waited to come along,” she said.

She said they were very pleased with the thickness and length in their Poll Dorsets and fertility and wool types in the Border Leicesters.

“Ninety per cent of them (Border Leicesters) are by the one sire (Jackson 287), which shows the genuine consistency through the lineup,” she said.

The Davidsons have a strong commercial focus, testing their stud genetics in their commercial flock at Marcollat.

They will offer 250, 1.5-year-old first-cross ewes at the Naracoorte blue ribbon sale next month, bred by their Morton sires.

“It has been a very strong sale like they have all been with the confidence in the sheep job,” Elders auctioneer Ronnie Dix said.

“People are changing their programs and purchasing a few extra ewes and therefore need to buy a few more rams.”

Elders and Pinkerton Palm Hamlyn & Steen were the selling agents.