Of the 80 Poll Dorset rams, 30 White Suffolks, 76 Border Leicesters and 8 Charollais rams, 139 were sold for an average of $1035 and a top price of $2000.

Bruce Davidson, Chain-O-Ponds Border Leicesters, welcomed everyone to the sale.

“It’s great to see so many people who keep coming back year after year – so we must be doing something right,” he said.

“These rams haven’t seen much rain since October, but they have been well educated for these dry times.”

Mr Davidson went on to sell the top-priced ram – a Border Leicester, lot 58 (dot) – to Cameron Little, Oakburn Pastoral Co, Walcha, for $2000. 

Mr Little said he had bought rams from Chain-O-Ponds for many years.

“I always try to buy the best ram on the day,” he said.

“I look for correct structure, conformation and depth – I’m not as worried about the wool.”

The ram will be joined to pure-bred Border Leicester ewes at “Oakburn” run as part of a mixed grazing enterprise.

Mr Davis said sires he has used were to improve “heads and wool” and to give more “stretch and scale”. “Structure and walking correctness is essential and we believe thse rams display both,” he said.

Overall, 57 Border Leicester rams sold at the auction, averaging $1196.49, 60 Poll Dorsets sold to a top of $1400 and an average of $916.67, and the 22 White Suffolk rams sold topped at $1600 and averaged $936.36.

Many buyers went home with between four and eight rams.

Volume buyers who purchased eight rams or more included the Nivison family, “Mirani”, Walcha; Golland Partnership, Wallabadah; the Kirton family, “Bilbrooke”, Walcha; Kanimbla Grazing, Walcha; and the Hunt family, “Eulo”, Niangala.

Elders area manager Nick Hall was the auctioneer for the event held on Valentine’s Day. Vendors were Bruce and Margaret Davidson Chain-O-Ponds, Woolbrook; Sam and Kate Lisle Old Woombi Poll Dorsets and Charollais, Walcha; John, Jill and Angus Burnell Maryland Farm White Suffolks, Wollun; Michael and Elizabeth Makeham Abberley Park Border Leicesters; and Walcha Central School Border Leicesters.