The sale topped at $5000, but such was the strength of consistent bidding on paddock reared rams, that not one sold under $1200 and 77 per cent sold in the tight range of $1400 to $1800.

There were 54 registered bidders including many long-term regulars. However, they were also joined by seven new buyers who made a significant impact on the result.

One of these was Haydn Lines, Benealla Poll Dorset stud, Keith.

Having travelled to the recent Kurralea sale in NSW, he was outbid by the Hauslers on the two rams he liked, so was thus attracted to the stud that liked the same type of sheep he did. That decision was rewarded when he was able to purchase his ram of choice, the 139kg lot 3 ram, Janmac 160139 for the $5000 top price. It also had the equal highest eye muscle depth measurement of 47mm.

Wayne Ladson, Millview stud, Mincha West was not far behind, paying $4800 two lots later for Janmac 160393, with the same muscle measurement and only slightly lighter in body weight than the sale topper.

The 22 specially selected Poll Dorset rams sold as single lots to commence the sale saw seven go to ram breeding enterprises, while the total run 22 averaged a solid $2282.

Alternating runs of Poll Dorset and White Suffolk flock rams followed in pens of two, with the 130 Poll Dorsets topping at $2200 and averaging $1587, while the 32 White Suffolks topped at $1900 and averaged $1431.

Seven buying accounts purchased 10 or more rams at the October 4 sale.

The highest volume buyer were long-term clients Kevin and Damian Merrett, Glendonald Pastoral, Apsley. They went to the $2200 top for flock rams in purchasing 14 outstanding Poll Dorsets, averaging $1879. The Merrett family markets around 5500 lambs annually at top export weights and they certainly appreciate what Janmac rams achieve in their paddocks.

Not far behind in buying volume with 13 top Poll Dorsets to a top of $1900 and at a $1585 average was Karinya Farms, Poolaijelo.

Brian Johnson, LS Johnson and Son and buying through Elders Naracoorte was a first-time buyer. Liking what he saw, he bid to $1800 and averaged $1630 for 10 high-quality Poll Dorset rams. Kirsty Flower, Morambro Pastoral, Frances was another new buyer at Janmac and she also selected 10 Poll Dorsets to $1700, averaging $1570. 

Also purchasing 10 Poll Dorsets was NW&EE Teate, Naracoorte, SA paying to $1600 and averaging $1570.

Another to compete strongly in the same budgetary area was Ken Donaldson, Edenhope. He also purchased 10 top rams from $1500 to $1600 and at an average of $1520.

While these buyers all operated exclusively on the dominant Poll Dorset offering, the buying pressure flowed over to the White Suffolks, with the 32 lifting $260 in average from last year.

KP Farms, through Landmark Naracoorte paid the $1900 top price in the White Suffolks. It was for one of four Whites they purchased along with four Poll Dorsets, their eight select purchasers averaging $1938.