Sale averages have been on a steady creep up for Tatura’s Yentrac stud, with the 2021 ram sale managing to beat out 2020’s strong $1598 average.
This year 66 Poll Dorset rams were sold for an average of $1825, 16 Southdown rams averaged $1606 and 21 White Suffolks averaged $1552.
Top price was taken by a $4600 Poll Dorset ram.
He was overshadowed by last year’s phenomenal top price when a Southdown went for $8400, but still looks good compared to 2019’s $2600 top-priced ram.
Yentrac stud principal Rob McCartney said he was interested to see what Lots 1 to 4 fetched, considering they were strong pedigrees but had no show experience.
“It’s very hard with the top-end rams, it’s a different year because the stud guys haven’t been able to see them at shows and consider them,” Mr McCartney said.
“On the other hand, we have some very muscly pens further into the sale which should sell very well.”
In the end, Lot 1A (replacing Lot 1) fetched $1500, Lot 2 $2800, Lot 3 $4600 and Lot 4 $4000.
The September 29 sale was attended by buyers eager to pick up any genetics they could without breaking the bank, and price-watching agents.
There were also plenty of tyre-kickers as the day’s on/off pouring rain forced local farmers to down tools.
Tongala farmer Peter Hacon has been buying Yentrac rams for nearly five years and was in the market for several rams last week.
“Normally the agent buys them, but he had a cattle sale today so I’m here instead,” Mr Hacon said.
“We run Southdowns over the maiden ewes because they are an easy-lambing breed. The Poll Dorsets we use with the older Merino ewes.”
Peter English attended with son Joel for a “tyre-kicking day”.
“I know Rob through the Australian Sheep Breeders Association, he’s the president and I’m the treasurer,” Mr English said.
“Since the Australian Sheep and Wool Show was cancelled we’ve been stuck talking a lot more and I got to know him. You help organise something and you think it’s all over once it’s done, but it keeps going.”
Mr English runs a small Polwarth stud in Bendigo — the breed is known for its fine wool and good carcase.
Ricky Ferris was buying on behalf of the Glenburn pastoral company he works for.
“I don’t know how many I’ll get, we’ll see what the prices do,” Mr Ferris said.
“We’re looking for some Southdowns to go with first-cross ewes, they’re for the sucker lamb job.”
Scott Meehan from Rodwells Euroa was taking the temperature of the ram market.
“This is my first time at this stud, I want to know what they are making here,” Mr Meehan said.
“The ram price is going up and that’s why we’ve got to start looking around.”
Barry Daldy from Karramomus was looking for some rams to run with his first-cross ewes for fat lambs.
“I like clean faces and clean legs,” Mr Daldy said.
“I don’t like them jumpy.”
Congupna farmer Tony Farrell hoped to walk away with one Poll Dorset.
“We’ve always had Poll Dorsets for our first-cross ewes — Merino x Border Leicester. They produce great prime lambs,” Mr Farrell said.
“I came on down today to support a local sale. I expect the prices will be pretty good — more than last year.”
Charles Stewart Dove director Shelby Howard drove up from Colac to attend the sale.
“Rob used to be a client of mine when I worked out of Shepparton, I keep coming back to buy off him,” Mr Howard said.
“There is a bloody good crowd here.”
Pine Lodge farmer Tony O’Callaghan was hoping to get three to four rams at the sale “depending on the price”.
“Last year I bought six Poll Dorsets from here and I’m very happy with them,” Mr O’Callaghan said.
“I’m braced for the price to be higher than last year.”
Alan Coombs attended with his father Frank — they’ve been buying from Yentrac for half a decade.
“We’re looking for some resilient Dorsets and Southdowns,” Alan Coombs said.
“Square, good eye muscle. The Southdowns are for the first-cross lamb ewes.”
When asked what qualities he was looking for in a ram, Frank Coombs said “breathing and alive is up there”.
Nutrien Ag agents Jamie Beckingsale (Mansfield) and Andrew Allan (Alexandra) attended to price watch.
“I’m here for a few White Suffolks, Andrew is after a few Poll Dorsets,” Mr Beckingsale said.
“Buyers want to buy the best they can get in their budget. The tricky thing is the budget — you tell them what rams are going for right now and they stumble backwards.”
Nagambie farmer James Brook was after a White Suffolk ram for Merino ewes.
“Last year I got one ram too, I’m looking for a ram capable of producing good fat lambs,” Mr Brook said.
“It will be interesting to see what the price does today.”