The rising wool market was reflected in the strong interest in fine wool Merino rams at the annual on-property ram sale at Woolaroo Merino stud, “Yass Plains”, Yass, on account the Walker family.
Top-price at $3000 was paid by long term client Robert McLachlan, Jaydee Partnership, Manildra, with an overall sale average of $1154 paid for 52 rams sold of 60 offered.
“He is as good a ram as anything we saw, and he was our first choice,” Mr McLachlan said.
“We selected him for his bright soft wool with density and length of staple.”
Mr McLachlan, who has bought from Woolaroo for 13 years, further noted the ram measured 18.77 microns with comfort factor 99.45 per cent and the Woolaroo-bloodlines suit his conditions.
He was advised by his sheep-classer James Tanner, Tambar Springs, and together they selected a draft of four rams for average price $1750.
A significant draft of 35 rams was selected by Australian Wool Network classer, Mark Hedley, Goulburn, for his client Stan Waldren, “Lindbrook”, Yass, for average price of $1000.
This is the 11th year Mr Waldren has purchased his Merino sires from Woolaroo, and they have had a tremendous influence on his flock based on joining 10,000 Merinos ewes, according to Mr Hedley.
“Their genetic performance is proven not only in wether trials but in Stan’s flock,” he said.
“The wool is soft and long stapled with heavy fleeces on a good body.”
Other return clients eager to secure Woolaroo genetics included John and Jane Bestwick, Bestwick Pastoral Co, “Euarra”, Bathurst, who bought six rams for average price of $1375.
In the Bathurst wether trial, a Woolaroo-blood team entered by the Bestwick family was ranked first for DSE in the years 2013-2015.
Ledgeworth Partnership, Yass, secured four rams at an average price of $1500.
The auction was facilitated by Landmark, Yass, with Paul Dooley, Tamworth taking the bids.