WRATTENBULLIE Poll Dorset stud notched up a new record price of $9500 at its annual ram sale on Monday at the Naracoorte Showgrounds.
Stud co-principal Brad Davies said the AI-bred ram, a son of Warburn 190024, had always been a stand out among their 2021 ram drop with its "volume and presence".
The Rowett family, Ulandi Park, Marrabel, were impressed with photos they saw of lot 2, Wrattenbullie 210145 and Charles Rowett made the trip from the Lower North to buy from Wrattenbullie for the first time.
"He is really phenotypically correct and structurally sound and a nice, wide, deep ram, we have a place for him in our breeding program," Mr Rowett said.
The sale topper's figures included a post weaning weight of 17.89, an eye muscle depth of 2.69 and Terminal Carcase Production Index of 149.40.
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Wrattenbullie's previous highest ram price was $6800.
Underbidders on the sale topper, CW&HM Cother, Binnum, were successful on lot 6, Wrattenbullie 210004, paying $5400 for the April 2021 drop with pure Wrattenbullie genetics.
Another first-time stud buyer was the Hart family, Glen Devon, Two Wells, who secured the first lot of the sale - a Derrynock 190156 son which had good figures including a Pemd of 2.36.
The six stud rams offered by Rod, Gayle, Brad and Alana Davies averaged $4600 but the sale's strength was the commercial clients who ensured a total clearance of 121 well-muscled flock rams for a ripper $1940 average.
This was also a record average for the stud and one of the highest averages for SA Poll Dorset sales this season.
Overall 127 rams averaged $2065 compared to 2021 when the same number averaged $1829.
Kenlen Seeds, Koppamurra and Kennian Pastoral, Millicent, each paid to $3400 for their top picks in lot 7 and lot 9 respectively.
The biggest orders among the 41 registered bidders were both Naracoorte locals.
LS Johnson & Son, put together 10 rams to $2600, averaging $1880 for them and Dunholme secured eight rams to $2400 multiple times, averaging $2225.
Despite the strong highs there were still rams for those operating with lower budgets including Fry Family Farms, Frances, who bought nine rams between $1400 and $1600.
Heading over the border to Balmoral, Vic, GE Russell Pastoral Company bought six rams in the top end to $3200, averaging $2633.
Brad said it was a "fantastic day" and a bonus to have a couple of studs buying from them for the first time.
"The lamb job is back a bit but it is great to see people are still willing to spend a bit of money for what they want," he said.
SAL Livestock auctioneer Matt MacDonald said the Davies family had found a very good combination of phenotype in their Poll Dorset rams and at the same time improved their LAMBPLAN figures.
"They have moderated the sheep a little bit and got a lot more shape and carcase but still having that traditional Wrattenbullie length and power," he said.
He said it was a "very good sale" with several high profile stud interest and strong repeat buyers.
"Four or five buyers who wanted those top end sheep were not afraid to spend up, some of the other sales we have only seen a $2500 to $2800 top," he said.
"There were also a couple of buyers who hadn't been for a few years make a return and buy."
SAL Livestock and PPHS were joint selling agents with Josh Manser sharing the rostrum.
