There was consistent interest in the offering of 158 Merino and Poll Merino rams on account Wally and George Merriman, Merryville stud, Boorowa at their 18th annual on-property ram sale.
With a top price of $4250 and average for the 134 rams sold of $1858, co-principal Wally Merriman said the average price was slightly up on last year.
“We are very happy with sale and coupled with the multi-vendor sales our overall average sale price is well up on last year.”
Mr Merriman noted wool supply, especially at the finer end is up during the past two years, yet the price has been increasing.
“The price for superfine wool looks promising, however the supply of Merino wool of all types is being restricted by lack of Merino ewes being joined to Merino rams,” he said.
The top priced ram at $4250 was bought by long standing client Ron Veness, Rye Park and was bred in a Ringmaster Syndicate and measured a current micron 16.4 and SD 2.8.
The ram is pictured with Tom Talbot, a friend of Ron Veness from when they worked in Tasmania shearing sheds 50 years ago.
Mr Veness has been breeding Merino sheep using Merryville bloodlines for the past 60 years and said he is staying with the traditional superfine type.
“He is a very good sheep, big and with a reasonably plain body, but with a good fleece weight and nice crimpy wool,” he said.
“He will do our flock a lot of good.”
Other good sales included Checkers Partnership, “Checkers”, Cargo who bought one at $4200 and one at $4000 in their draft of eight rams which averaged $2850: J.F. and J.E. Baxter, “Marcole Park”, Old Junee who paid $4200 for their pick and Geoff Burley, “Threela”, Guyra who paid $4000 for his first selection of the Merryville offering and $3800 for his next choice.
Australian Wool Network were active for clients G.M. and D.R. Ostini, who bought two at $3500 and $3250, and also B.J. Byrnes who paid $3200 for his new sire.
Tasmanian woolgrowers, R and C Westmore purchasing through Roberts Tasmania bought nine rams to top $2800, while Alimold Pty Ltd, “Kiola”, Boorowa purchased five new sires to top of $4000, and Victorian producer Girvan Lea P/L, Wonwondah, took home eight rams for $2237 average.
Queensland producers of fine wool, H.H. Harris and Sons, Inglewood added to their sire battery with seven rams for average $1386, and New England-based woolgrower, Glenowen Partnership, “Glenowen”, Armidale took a ram home for $3200 and one for $1500.
Sterling Kershaw and Co, “Wattle valley”, Gundaroo purchased two rams at $3000 apiece, Wurrook Estate, Rokewood, Vic bought one ram at $3200 and T and W price, “Boiga View”, Pyramul added to their genetic depth with a ram at $3000.
Bernley Pastoral Co, Culcairn, bought three rams to top $2000, Linbrook Pty Ltd, Manuka purchased five rams to top of $2600 and Willowview Partnership, Yass took two rams home to top $3000.
Volume buyers included Paul Simons, “Euralie”, Yass, who bought seven rams to top $3600 (twice) and the Morse family, “Spire View”, Coonabarabran, who showed confidence in the fine wool end of the wool market taking home 17 rams for $1007 average price.
Others included Green Pastoral Group, Alfredton, Vic who took 12 rams home for average price $1192, and Abbey Hills Partnership, Hawkesdale, Vic who purchased four rams to $1800.
The sale was settled by Landmark, Boorowa with Rick Power, Landmark, Boorowa and Steve Ridley, Elders, Goulburn sharing the rostrum.
