TWO rams selling at $5000 each topped the 15th annual Glenwood Merino stud’s ram sale at Wellington last Friday.
A total of 107 rams from the 109 offered by Norm and Pip Smith and family averaged a healthy $1694 when selling to Queensland, Tasmania and widespread areas of NSW.
Quandialla district’s Trevor and Sarah Ryan of Richmond Merino stud, paid equal top $5000 for an 18.1 micron ram sired by Richmond Park 579 with excellent estimated sheep breeding values (ESBV) for which Glenwood stud is noted.
This is their first ram purchase from Glenwood in seven years.
“We were a sire short in the battery and needed an extra ram,” Trevor Ryan said.
“We trust the genetics of Glenwood and their rams are paddock run, so you get what you buy here.
“As Norm says, there’s no smoke and mirrors at Glenwood.”
Mr Ryan said the ram was a son of one of Richmond’s own sires, “so he’ll make a good outcross”.
“This ram is just a good all-round package that will fit well in our sire battery at home.”
It’s ESBVs were 8.58 yearling weight (YWT); 10.14 yearling clean fleece weight (YCFW) and 0.82 for yearling eye muscle depth (YEMD).
Paying the other $5000 were Mark Murphy and son, Luke, Karbullah Poll Merino stud, Goondiwindi, Qld, for a twin son of Glenwood 110114 with 17.3 micron wool and high eye muscle depth and staple length ESBVs.
They run some 1200 ewes of 19.1 micron average and have been shearing every eight months but bringing that back to every six months.
Luke Murphy said the ram was a nice deep bodied ram with a big frame, the type with good feet that would fit well in their country.
Returning established clients Stephen and Kate Kiss, “Currawarra”, Spicers Creek, bought 10 rams to $4100 which averaged $2670.
Stephen and Kate Kiss, “Currawarra”, Spicers Creek, returned for their 11th year to buy 10 rams for their flock of 2000 ewes growing 19 micron average wool.
He said he was increasing his fleece weights.
They paid a top of $4100 and an average of $2670 with their draft topper a 16.5 micron son of the Richmond Park sire with an ASBV EMD of 0.18 and YSL of 12.04.
Peter Lawson, “Trewalla”, Wagga Wagga, who runs 2500 ewes of 18.5 micron average returned for his second year saying he liked the type, staple length and body of Glenwood sheep.
He purchased eight rams averaging $1538 paying to $2000.
Mr Lawson said the lambs on the ground by last year’s sires looked very promising.
Michael and Angela Day, “Bundemar”, Trangie, paid up to $2000 and a $1600 average for four rams with the top growing 17 micron wool while Gunning Grazing Company, Moss Grove”, Gunning, bought five rams paying to $2400 and averaging $1660. The drat topper was growing 17.4 micron wool.
The Harding family of Yass bought four rams to $1600 and an average of $1400.
Stuart Mason, "Maltara", Gwabegar, returned to secure six rams for a $1367 average while paying to $1700.
Another returning buyer, Howard Gorrie, “Belara”, Goolma, who bought five rams topping at $2100 and averaging $1520.
Tasmanian client of many years standing, Croftside Nominees of Cressy, purchased nie rams for a $1200 average and paying to $1400.
The sale was conducted by Peter Milling and Company, Dubbo with Danny Tink the auctioneer.
