Strong demand for Poll Merino rams bred in the high rainfall district of eastern Riverina, and therefore suitable for environments was evident at the annual multi-vendor Eastern Riverina Poll Merino ram sale at Culcairn.
Return clients, many from the surrounding district supported the sale.
A total of 77 May/June 2015 drop young sires were offered on behalf of Simon and Amanda Bahr, Meadow View Poll Merino stud, Henty and Stuart Pitson, Valley Vista Poll Merino stud, Culcairn, while it was unfortunate the draft to be offered on account Les Mathews, Bulgandri Poll Merino stud, Rand were withdrawn due to Mr Mathews’ ill health.
His many friends and clients will be pleased to know the Bulgandri draft will again be present at the 2017 sale.
Top price, at $3200 was paid by M and R Clarke, Ournie via Jingellic, for a ram from the Valley Vista lineup measuring 17.8 microns.
This is the first time the Clarkes have purchased a Valley Vista ram, but they have been long supporters of the multi-vendor sale.
“We liked the wool for our country,” Marcus Clarke said.
“We are in a high rainfall area and need to have wool that is bright and soft.”
Among the many rams sold for $3000, Mark Dye, “Glenora”, Corowa, made his selection from the Meadow View offering.
Mr Dye is a repeat buyer at the sale, and was attracted to the 20.2 micron ram bred in the Roseville Park family for his “well nourished wool, with staple length and frame.”
“We are looking for bale fillers on a big frame and not chasing microns,” Mr Dye said.
Of the 77 rams offered, 66 sold for average price $1642.
Significant sales included two rams purchased by MG and LM Kearney, Cavendish, Victoria, from the Meadow View offering for $3000 and $2200 respectively, while Cooranga Pastoral, Culcairn bought a Valley Vista ram for $3000 and MJ Hedger, “Snowvale”, Berridale, also paid $3000 for his pick of the Valley Vista draft.
Volume buyers included Mark Dye, Corowa, who put together a draft of seven rams for average $1885, TV and KD Macreadie, Coreen, paid average $1300 for their draft of four rams and A Zweck and Sons, Henty, purchased six rams for average $1166.
The sale was conducted through Elders and Landmark Studstock, with Peter Godbolt taking the bids.
