Heavier offering adds up to full clearance for Netley Park

The 71 well-grown Poll Dorsets offered by Michael King topped at $2400 three times and averaged $1666, while his 83 Border Leicesters, also with plenty of length, hit a $2500 high, averaging $1365.

These averages were up $305 and $265 on 2019's result, due to the strength of the 34 South East, western Vic and Mid North bidders.

Lot 4 in the Border Leicester offering, a twin-born ram weighing 96 kilograms, made the sale high of $2500- equal to last year's best price.

It was knocked down to Spence Dix & Co director Rodney Dix buying on behalf of GE&TM Simpson, Keith.

Western Vic first cross ewe breeders who feature prominently in the Edenhope, Vic, sale each year led the strength with 24 Border Leicester rams heading to clients of Rodwells Edenhope's David Hanel.

This included 10 rams to WA, RG& NW Robinson, Ullswater, Vic, for a $1630 average and eight rams to Westwood, Patyah, Vic, for a $1288 average.

The three Poll Dorsets to reach $2400 were all in the first seven lots and all remained locally.

Long-time client Willswood Farms, Bordertown, was the first to pay $2400 for the opening lot.

The eye-appealing ram was one of three Poll Dorsets they bought, along with three Border Leicesters.

Willswood Farms' Tim Williams has been impressed by growth of their second cross lambs which are grown out to heavy export weights and sold on hooks at JBS Bordertown's abattoir.

At lot 3, Bettess Ag, Keith also outlaid $2400 for a 129kg Poll Dorset ram with a Stockscan eye muscle area of 42.

The other equal top price Poll Dorset was lot 7,the heaviest ram in the catalogue at 132kg with a 43cm2 eye muscle area. It headed to Bolinda Partners, Mundulla, who put together five rams.

Leading the volume Poll Dorset buyers was Carew Partners, Bordertown, who secured 12 Poll Dorset rams to $2300, averaging $1867, and PJ Leach & Co, Mundulla, who bought the same number to $2100 twice, averaging $1667.

Another long-time Netley Park supporter GL&SM Maddern, Kaniva, Vic, bought 10 Poll Dorsets at $1000, finding great value late in the catalogue.

Mr King was very pleased to mark the milestone with such a strong sale and see so many repeat buyers continue to buy his genetics, as well as attracting a couple of new clients.

"It shows people have some confidence in the industry- they are not in it for one year but for the long haul and investing in genetics to get them there," he said.

He said one of the highlights of breeding sheep has been the relationships he had built with his clients over the years.

"When I hear their success stories with their lambs it gives me a boost and makes me want to keep striving ahead," he said.

'We are breeding a longer, stretchier Poll Dorset with clean points and Border Leicesters that are tall and stretchy but still with that good shape."

Spence Dix & Co auctioneer Luke Schreiber, who shared the auctioneering duties with Jono Spence, said the sale result was" reward for effort" with the rams a few kilograms heavier than last year and more consistent offering.

"There was a greater willingness to spend more money than previous years- guys happy at $1500 that might have been $1200 before.

"They are getting the returns from the lambs so happy to invest but having said that the rams were a lot better too.

The sale was interfaced with AuctionsPlus.

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