Purchasing Rams
We endeavor to match rams to each client's specific requirements. Tell us about your enterprise or what your goal is with your new ram/s, and we will go through our stud rams and select those that would suit your requirements. You are then able to make the final call on which rams you purchase with your own visual assessment and ASBV figures to go along with it. We have a convenient set up at the yards with all the data on each ram viewable up on the big TV screen.
Rams are available for set prices. Elite sire rams (limited number): $3000 per head. General sale rams: 1 - 3 rams - $1200 per head, 3+ rams - $1000 per head. We stand by the quality of our rams and different sets of figures will suit different systems of production. We keep the price reasonable so that clients can afford to invest in the genetic gain of their flocks while making sound business decisions regarding cost vs. value. We know our genetics are leading the way, as through Lambplan we are effectively progeny testing our lambs against all other studs, all the time. We know you will profit from our rams performance. We do not hold any annual auction style sales and prefer to sell out of the paddock - this enables us to do an initial selection of rams that will suit your individual enterprise which you can then select from. It also means that you will see the rams in realistic commercially run condition - they haven't been kept or fed differently to prepare them for sale. This gives you a more accurate picture of the animal and how it will perform in a commercial operation, as well as setting it up for better health throughout its working life.
It works out much cheaper for the producer to purchase rams this way instead of at an auction. Being commercial producers ourselves we have always struggled with the reality of the auction system as a selling option. Our reasons for avoiding the auction system are outlined in more depth below.
We lamb from June through to September and rams are available for sale as ram lambs from early January once they have been muscle scanned and we have their full ASBV figures. We use these ram lambs in our own commercial and stud flocks and in single sire joining have found no difference in conception rates between ram lambs at 6-8 months of age and more mature rams. We do recommend joining at a higher percentage in a commercial situation if utilizing ram lambs and being aware that older rams may bully ram lambs at joining time. We will generally have rams available throughout the year to suit different joining systems.
All of our rams are given a thorough visual assessment and scrotal palpation, are brucellosis accredited, foot rot free, and up to date with drenching, vaccination and fly/lice prevention before leaving the property.
Rams are picked up from the yards at 'The Willows' - We have an adjustable ramp to load trucks, utes, and trailers with easy access. Alternatively, for smaller numbers of rams within a reasonable distance we are able to deliver.
Call or email us to discuss your requirements and how we can help you improve the performance and profit of your flock with our genetically superior rams!
So why no auction?
We know auctions are designed to benefit the seed stock producer and not the commercial producer - that's why the seed stock industry has promoted them so strongly.
Auctions are great for:
1. Theatre, colour and dressing up
2. Camaraderie
3. Self promotion
4. Pumped up beautiful animals
The animal of highest genetic merit rarely makes the top price, which says it all.
Auctions are poor at identifying:
1. Genetic merit
2. Value for money
3. Return on investment
4. Providing time to make a decision without pressure.
Incredibly the seed stock industry now has moved to a system where the auction is their flag ship, but as long as you buy at the auction they will then supply rams to you from the paddock, discounted, to complete your sire team.
“This is for the benefit of the commercial producer!” - Please save me from the insincerity of this position.
Our view is, if you want all of the above, save the difference by buying direct based on genetic merit and with the savings in purchase price take your family on a holiday and enjoy!