TWO rams from Glendonald stud, Nhill, Victoria, topped the sale ram performance class for breeder Rob Harding during the 2015 Rabobank National Merino Sheep Show and Ram Sale at Dubbo last week.
Winner was Glendonald 3.6 a 23.8 micron son of GLD TGK weighing 144 kilograms and showing a fat depth of 9 millimetres and eye muscle depth of 35mm and fleece value at $173.20.
The ram was purchased for $4500 by Richard and Debbie Chalker for their Lach River stud based at "Lachoona", Darbys Falls near Cowra.
The ram's wool measurement showed a standard deviation (SD) of 3.7 micron and co-efficient of variation (CV) of 15.5 per cent while the comfort factor was 96pc.
Not to be outdone, another Glendonald ram was placed second when its fleece was valued at $145.79.
This was Glendonald 3.43 a 22-micron son of GLD0.38 weighing 164kg purchased for $8000 by Eric Wythe, Broadwater, Vic.
The wool SD is 3.1 micron, CV 14.1pc, and CF 99.3pc.
Third place went to Woolbrook district-bred Nerstane N18, by the champion fine wool sale ram exhibited by the McLaren families of Nerstane stud and purchased for $24,000 by Beverley Merino No.2 stud, Redesdale, Vic, Trefusis stud, Ross, Tasmania, and Eilan Donan stud, Elphinstone, Vic.
The ram sired by N4636 weighed 156kg prior to shearing and its fleece was valued at $141.48.
The wool measured 18.9 micron with a SD of 2.4 micron, CV 12.7pc and CF on 99.8pc.
Measurements were conducted by Don Chad Wool, Dubbo.
- MARK GRIGGS