Tara Park Merino stud has recorded their highest top-price result at an on-property sale at Boorowa on Monday, reaching $15,500 to celebrate their 28th sale.
One-hundred rams were offered to local and interstate buyers, clearing 94 lots, for a $2064 average.
The top ram was snapped up early in the draft, after a competitive bidding pushed the quality ram to $15,500.
It was sold to repeat buyer of five years, Jack Whitechurch, “Wendouree”, Grenfell, who held the bidding battle to the end.
Sired by 4202, it carried an 18.2-micron fleece, a 3.2-micron standard deviation (SD), a 16.9 per cent coefficient of variation (CV) and a 99.8 per cent comfort factor (CF).
Mr Whitechurch said after viewing the top ram at the recent South West Slopes Merino field day at Harden, the ram’s size and character, and overall strong presentation caught his attention.
“He has a bright long staple and quality wool which is the main thing – he was also very soft handling and will help continue these traits in my stud,” he said.
Putting the ram to work over 120 stud ewes, Mr Whitechurch hopes to increase specific traits within his flock.
“The plan is to increase my wool cut – my average wool cut is about seven kilograms with an average micron fleece across the flock at 19.1 – I am hoping he will increase this and in particular my staple length,” Mr Whitechurch said.
The second highest price of $8000 sold to J.C. and D.M. Maher, “Parkviller”, Cookardinia.
The ram sired by 00351, carried an 18.3-micron fleece, a 3.1-mircon SD, a 16.9 per cent CV and a 99.8 CF. Sell wether lambs off, shear once and then sell them
Tara Park Merino, principal, Guy Evans said given the conditions and “a trying year” with a dry start and a wet finish, he is pleased with the results and the presentation of the draft.
With the sale average up for 2016, Mr Evans said the competitive bidding was a positive and the battle for the top ram came down to which producer wanted it more.
“He had the wool quality and quantity – also the scale of a top ram - it’s all a balancing act with producing a well presented sheep,” he said.
Volume buyers took advantage of the Tara Park rams, with P.C. McGrath and Sons, Boorowa, taking home a line of 13 rams, topping $1600, for a $1230 average.
Danny McGrath said after 28 years of buying Tara Park rams, his 2000 head self replacing Merino flock is on a steady track to reaching their breeding aims.
“We always buy a lot of rams but it was a seasonal decision for this year that we needed that many,” he said.
Volume buyer Derneveagh Pastoral, Harden, brought 11 rams, topping $2000, for a $1636 average.
Sunnydale Partnership, Forbes, also took home eight rams, topping $1800, for an average of $1500.
The sale was conducted by Steve Ridley, Elders, Goulburn and Rick Power, Landmark, Boorowa.
