Estjam Poll Dorsets records a total clearance

Four specially-selected rams were the drawcard for new and return clients, with lots 3 and 4 selling to studs in Victoria and South Australia.

Top-priced ram for the sale was Lot 3 - Estjam 200118 - a spring-drop ram lamb which was secured by Zacman Poll Dorset stud, Binnum, SA, for $4600.

The second top-priced ram was Lot 4 - Estjam 200039 - an autumn-drop ram, which had been used in the stud with progeny on display during the sale.

Lot 4 was secured by new buyers, Simon and Angus Doherty, Thunder Hill Poll Dorset stud, Yarra Valley.

The Dohertys have been breeding Poll Dorsets for five years, running alongside a Southdown stud, and have a direct-to-consumer lamb business.

"He was well structured, had a good shoulder set, great feet, he's a nice, stylish, true-to-type ram," Simon said.

"He has plenty of meat on him in the right areas, there's a rump that you can put on any type of barbeque.

"Our environment is very cold and wet and we believe this style suits as they perform in the cold weather."

Volume buyers were also active at the sale, including clients returning for the second year, David and Donna Moyle, Hamilton.

The Moyles purchased five rams to a top of $2500 twice and an average of $1960, for their 2500 first-cross ewe flock.

"We like the quick-maturing style of the Estjam rams, as well as the body and shape they have, which allows us to turn our second-cross lambs off prior to Christmas," Mr Moyle said.

"We have a large focus on dollars produced per hectare, which is what has turned us to the dual-sheep operation, and the rams we have purchased here have increased that figure.

"We have been selling our top lambs over the hooks, with our remaining portion going through AuctionsPlus."

Another volume buyer present on the day was Brett Tanner, Hawkesdale, through Blair O'Toole, SGL, who purchased nine rams to a top of $1500 and an average of $1222.

Estjam stud principal Esther Glasgow was over the moon with the support and the result received for the day, with the average being $600 up on last year.

"The rams put forward for sale this year were a real representation of the style of sheep we are producing here," she said.

"The rams really spoken for themselves.

"[My focus has been on] evenness of type, the quality of genetics I have been investing in, and meat and fat.

"Another key focus for the stud is making sure we remain industry relevant with that meat and the eating quality, which ultimately I can see us being paid for in the future.

"To sell the rams to studs in three states, and being present there is an exception feeling."