WOOLUMBOOL RAM SALE – Wednesday 7th October
More than 50 years of performance recording and objective measurement continues to underpin the breeding direction at Woolumbool, where the Clothier family has built its prime lamb genetics around traits that deliver for commercial producers.
Based at Lucindale in South Australia’s southeast, Woolumbool has been breeding high-performance rams for the prime lamb industry for more than half a century, with data playing an important role in breeding decisions for much of that time.
Woolumbool principal Aaron Clothier said the focus remained firmly on producing genetics that combined growth, carcase performance and eating quality with traits that matter commercially.
“Producers can expect to see fast growth from their lambs with adequate fat and reduced drenching requirements – what we target in our breeding is ultimately what we want producers to see in their lambs,” Aaron said.
“We continue to focus on high growth, particularly post-weaning weights, and keeping those that are above average.”
“The other traits are eating quality, including shear force and intramuscular fat, while also keeping a close eye on worm resistance through Worm Egg Count.
“We have been breeding towards eating quality for a number of years now, waiting for it to come to the fore, and we are right where we need to be. If we can keep improving that, that will be great.”
Those breeding objectives are backed by extensive performance recording, with many Woolumbool rams ranking within the top one to 10 per cent of terminal sires nationally across a range of Australian Sheep Breeding Values.
Heading into this year’s spring selling season, Aaron said conditions across the southeast were providing another reason for optimism.
“It is great to see the southeast looking so green and even better to hear from clients that their paddocks are looking the best they have in years,” he said.
“There is plenty of feed on the ground and the rams are coming along just nicely.
“The industry is pretty confident at the moment, which is nice to see. With lamb and wool prices where they are and the weather being very kind to us, confidence has had a good boost in the area.
“From all reports, lamb prices should hold firm or potentially increase a little into spring, which we will look forward to, but wait with bated breath.”
Ewe numbers have remained relatively steady across the region, said Aaron noting producers were generally happy with the sheep they were carrying and the returns they were generating.
Stronger wool values have also contributed to renewed interest in Woolumbool’s Multi-Meat genetics.
“We’ve already received a couple of phone calls regarding the Multi-Meats, with wool being one of the reasons, but also because of the number of lambs they can produce and how well those lambs can grow out,” Aaron said.
“Decreased Microns should be a determining factor when purchasing a maternal sire. If you can use the Multi-Meat over a Merino, that first-cross ewe can produce valuable lambs as well as valuable wool.”
Buyer confidence in Woolumbool genetics was evident at last year’s annual ram sale, where 198 rams across the White Suffolk, Poll Dorset and Multi-Meat breeds sold to average $1651.
The result attracted both long-standing clients and new buyers from several states, with strong interest in rams backed by high-ranking performance figures.
Woolumbool will again offer a strong line-up at its annual on-property spring ram sale this year, with 200 purpose-bred White Suffolk, Poll Dorset and Multi-Meat rams to go under the hammer.
Backed by extensive performance data and more than five decades of breeding, the 2026 sale team will be offered at the Yacca Downs Woolshed from the new sale time of 1pm on Wednesday, October 7.
For the latest Woolumbool news and sale updates, visit woolumbool.com.au or follow Woolumbool on Facebook and Instagram.
Woolumbool 39th Annual Spring Ram Sale
Wednesday 7th October, 2026
1pm (SA Time)
Yacca Downs Woolshed, Woolumbool, SA
www.woolumbool.com.au
For media enquiries or sale information, contact:
Aaron Clothier – 0428 658 002 | aaron@woolumbool.com.au