The 41 rams, of a total of 69 offered, grossed $146,250 at an average of $3567 per head.

A Ulandi Park Stud ram, from Marrabil, South Australia, topped the sale with $8500.

Rodwells general manager Rob Bolton said there were a number of positives to take out of the sale.

"I think there are people who were very happy with what they bought and people who were happy with what they sold," he said.

"The clearance rate obviously wasn't as high as we're used to seeing.

"It seems to be fairly cyclical in how well these sales go."

Poll Dorsets make up more than 50 per cent of Australian sheep sales.

The sale was part of the annual Dorset championships in Bendigo, which attracted 345 entries.

Australasian Dorset Championships secretary Rod Bowles said it was an important event for Bendigo to stage each year.

"We're celebrating the 60th year of the breed in Australia this year," he said.

"We have the top studs in Australia come down each year. Bendigo is centrally located and easily accessible for farmers across Victoria and New South Wales."

Ulandi Park stud principal Clayton Rowett attended the Bendigo show fresh from a successful entry in the Royal Adelaide Show.

One of his rams, which also sold on the day, had been named reserve champion at Adelaide.

He was also looking to enter rams at the Royal Melbourne Show.