Almost all of the 107 lots offered at this year’s Nutrien Yentrac ram sale on Wednesday, September 25 went under the hammer to modest prices due to the current mood of the market.
The second-generation Polled Dorset, White Suffolk and Southdown stud, now in its thirteenth year, attracted about 25 buyers to the Tatura property.
Nutrien agent Levi Cornish said market prices for rams were a ‘bit of a seasonal thing’ and changing farming practices had reduced the number of customers.
“At the moment we are all looking for a decent drink of rain,” Mr Cornish said.
“And the younger generations probably are more going down the cropping side of things and running a few less sheep - which isn’t helping things.
“But it’s the way it is at the moment.”
The sale cleared 87 of the 102 working rams and all 5 of the ribbon-winning breeders, at an average price of $1286.
The highest price was $3000 for ribbon-winning Yentrac 97/23, sold to Geoff Davies from Geejay Poll Dorset & White Suffolk Stud, Kerang.
Yentrac co-principal Katie Shapcott said the rams were in good condition and had been ‘up and running’ during the year.
She said the stud was happy with the sale given the season’s weather.
“It is what it is; as long as all the buyers are happy that’s main thing,” Ms Shepcott said.
“And it was mainly a buyers crowd which is good; the largest volume buyer took 12 home.”