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Prime lamb era ends for Ross family at Dubbo sheep sale

Rebecca Sharpe, May 2, 2018

Ian and Cathie Ross with agent Colin Hood at the Dubbo sale on Monday where the Ross family sold the last of the renowned Bugadabah lambs for $194.20.

A PRIME lamb-selling era has ended with the last of the Bugabadah Pastoral lambs selling at the Dubbo saleyards this week.

For more than 30 years, Bugabadah Pastoral lambs presented by Ian and Cathie Ross from the Collie property ‘Sheldons’ have been sold through the Dubbo saleyards.

On Monday at the saleyards, the Ross’ last line of 121 lambs were sold by agents Christie and Hood sold for $194.20 a head to Thomas Foods International.

After 45 years at ‘Sheldons’, the Ross family have called it a day with the recent sale of the 1293-hectare property.

The Ross family moved to “Sheldons” 45 years ago, working under the late Allan and Margaret Christie.

“We felt it was just time to move on.

“We have decided to relocate to be closer to family,” Mr Ross said.

Selling agent Colin Hood said the Bugabadah sheep had become highly regarded at the Dubbo saleyards and could be easily recognised by the green dot Mr Ross put on their consignments.

“Ian is a master of presenting prime lambs in a good season or drought,” Mr Hood said.

“Allan would see feed and just buy more stock so he would often be in trouble. Ian put a stop to that and he proved the point quite regularly by topping the Dubbo market with the well known green dot Bugabadah lambs.”

At Bugadabah Pastoral’s last lamb sale were, from left, Jason Hartin, Hartin Schute Bell, Narromine, ‘Sheldons’ buyers Tim and Ron Fraser, Ian and Cathie Ross, and agent Colin Hood.

Bugadabah lambs even set a few records over the years, including being the first pen of lambs to sell for more than $150 at the Dubbo saleyards.

The property was sold by Jason Hartin, Hartin Schute Bell, Narromine and purchased by local producers Bill Fraser and Sons Hay Merchants, which is run by Tim and Ben Fraser, along with father, Ron and grandfather, Bill.

Tim Fraser said the family planned to continue producing prime lambs and hay on ‘Sheldons’, running a total of 2500 first cross ewes across it and their other Collie property, ‘Milpa’.

The Fraser family also have 728-hectare ‘Truelay’ at Wongarbon, where Bill runs a herd of 200 Hereford breeding cows.

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