A PROMISING season and good sheep and wool market lead a large crowd of buyers to the 14th Annual Bungulla Merino ram sale last Friday, which topped at $7500.
There was a full clearance at the sale, with 107 rams selling to an average of $2093.
Carrying on tradition, Peter and Lou Capel donated one of their rams to the Westpac Rescue Helicopter, which sold for $2500 to the Hunt Family, Niangala.
The Hunt family also purchased another five rams to average $2750.
Rohan and Geraldine Clark, Appledore Merinos, Barraba, purchased the top-price ram at the sale.
The 97 kilogram ram had a micron of 21.8 fibre diametre, a standard deviation (SD) of 3.5, 16.1 per cent coefficient of variation (CV) and 99pc comfort factor (CF).
Appledore Merinos have been using Bungulla genetics in their operation for 30 years.
Mr Clark said they have continued purchasing the rams for their large wool cut, good frame and fertility.
“Using the Bungulla rams we’ve been able to increase our sheep’s frame and wool cut and decrease our micron without having to sacrifice fertility,” he said.
New and long-term repeat buyers reigned from the local area and interstate, with rams being sold into southern Queensland, northern NSW, the New England and the Tablelands.
Stud principal, Peter Capel, said it was also great to see western buyers back in business after four hard, dry years.
Peter McSwan, “Brenda Station”, Goodooga, purchased 16 rams to top at $4000 and average $2281.
Mr McSwan has been a long-term buyer of Bungulla rams as they suit the Goodooga country well and are always consistent.
Mr McSwan uses the rams on his Merino production where he produces a micron of 21 and sells his lambs to the abattoir when the season permits.
Jack Johnston, “Wyralla”, Dirranbandi were also volume buyers of the sale, purchasing seven rams to top at $2250 and average $1821.
The repeat buyers said they like their rams for their large frame and bright wool.
Mr Johnston said the rams have helped them maintain good lambing rates and suit their production well.
Long time purchaser, Brian Brazier, purchased five rams at the sale to top at $3750 and average $2800.
Mr Brazier purchased 10 rams from Bungulla 33 years ago.
Mr Brazier produces fat lambs for the abattoir market and sells his wool at a micron of between 19.5 to 20.5.
Elders sheep and wool agent, Scott Thrift said the Bungulla rams presented very well this year and were some of the best rams ever offered by the Capels.
Mr Thrift said demand was strong among buyers, evident in the 100 per cent clearance.
Buyers from northern NSW and southern Queensland, who have just come out of a dry period were looking to source a number of rams to help build up their flocks again.
Mr Thrift said the sheep were well grown, with good bodies, weight, eye muscle depth and fat cover. He said they were very productive animals with good wool.
Mr Capel said this year’s rams were the most productive and even line they’ve offered at the sale.
He said the sale was very humbling and they were extremely pleased with the result.
The sale was settled by Elders and Shute bell as agents.
The auctioneer was Paul Dooley.
