THE demand for poll Merino rams is irreversible, according to Stephen Huggins, of the Jerilderie Woodpark stud.
"Ten years ago, 80 per cent of our ram sales would have been horned," Mr Huggins said.
"Now polled rams outnumber the horned three to one."
This year, Woodpark was planning to sell 140 horned rams and 360 polled.
Mr Huggins said he suspected the push to polled rams had a lot to do with the demand for Dohnes.
He said those breeders who had gone to the hornless Dohne found they could go back to a polled Merino, which produced a heavier cut.
As for the likely Merino ram prices in the Riverina circuit of ram sales, he said his preference was to offer more rams rather than take a higher average with smaller clearance.
"What we have got to do is encourage breeders to join their Merino ewes back to Merino rams for the sake of the national flock," he said.
Last year Woodpark sold 98 polled rams from an offering of 100 for an average of $1621.
On September 26, Woodpark is planning to auction 120.
