When welcoming visitors and ram buying clients to the annual ram auction of the Wanganella and Poll Boonoke Merino studs on account Australian Food and Agriculture (AF&A), chairman Colin Bell perhaps voiced the opinion of many when he said, he thought the outlook for Merino sheep is as good now as at anytime in the history of the industry.
AF&A Riverina Livestock General Manager, Justin Campbell said the “interest in our auction today is a reflection of the depth and quality of the Wanganella and Poll Boonoke genetics.”
“Our showing results, the ASBV rankings of our rams and, in particular, the Stud demand today indicates we have the formula right and our Studs are at the top of the game,” he said.
Sale results saw 194 rams sold from 200 offered for overall average of $3499.23.
Top price at $44,000 was paid by Haddon Rig, Warren, principal George Falkiner and stud manager Andy McLean for 2015 drop ram, 20.1 microns and sired by WP110003.
“His wool has length and softness, with a well defined crimp on a good skin,” Mr McLean said.
Mr Falkiner agreed and said he thought the ram had the “best wool in the shed.”
“There are a lot of big Poll Sheep, but few with the high quality wool,” he said.
Top priced Wanganella ram at $22,000 was purchased by South Australian syndicate, Garry and Joe Murdoch, North Cowie Merinos, Warooka, and Ian and Fiona Koch, Bunyara Merino stud, Moculta.
Thier prospective sire measured 17.9 microns with 2.5 SD and comfort factor (CF) 100 percent.
Garry Murdoch said he and the Koch’s had viewed the ram at Bendigo, and “we both thought he had the best wool we had seen in 45 years on a great structure.”
The Murdochs purchased a second Wanganella ram for $8,000: and Greg Andrews, Hamilton Run Merinos, Jamestown, SA, paid $15,000 for Poll Boonoke, with “beautiful, bold crimping 58’s wool.”, while Roger Matthews, Borambil Merinos, Corowa, paid $15,000 for a Wanganella, along with $20,000 for a Poll Boonoke ram with “terrific balance and figures.”
Ken Karsten, Kiawarra Merinos, Weethalle, paid $12,000 for his Wanganella ram, and will join him to selected ewes from his ‘Wonga’ family.
“We don’t often see the type of wool this ram has … very similar to the old ‘Wonga’ wool,” he said.
Volume purchasers included Don McKenzie, Coonamble who selected a draft of 14 for average $2714.
The sale was conducted by Landmark and Elders stud stock, with Kevin Norris, Peter Godbolt and Ron Rutledge taking the bids.
