The 38th annual Monaro White Wool ram sale held at the Cooma Showgrounds on October 17 was again highly successful with rams selling to five states.
About 60 buyers registered to bid on the quality lots on offer.
Michael Green, Boudjah Merinos, said after 38 years for the sale to have strength and buying support like that is “something pretty special”.
“We all appreciate the support. To get the high averages and a result like that is something,” he said.
“A lot of regular buyers were out of their comfort zone, spending more money than usual.”
Snowy Plain Merinos and Snow Vale Poll Merinos
The sale topper was a Poll Merino ram offered by Michael and Katrina Hedger from Snow Vale Poll Merinos.
Topping at $14,000, the Snow Vale 031 ram sold to Western Australian buyers Phillip and Daniel Gooding from East Mundalla Merino stud, Tarin Rock.
Sired by Meadow View Desmond, stud classer and Landmark stud stock specialist, Rick Power, said the ram was “virtually faultless”.
Weighing 118 kilograms, the SV-031 ram had a 20.3 micron, 3.1 standard deviation (SD), 15.3 per cent coefficient of variation (CV), 18.9 spinning fineness (SF) and a comfort factor (CF) 99.6pc.
Bidders from NSW and Victoria were involved in the bidding frenzy that eventually saw the ram knocked down to the WA phone bidders.
Mr Power continued to commend the ram saying he is a true poll stud sire with great structure and outlook.
“The ram has a real sirey masculine head. His wool is his feature other than his size,” he said.
“He has just cut his teeth at 118kg, July drop. His wool is a true medium wool with good density and nourishment, and it is extremely soft.
“He has an impeccable pedigree. A grandson of Desmond from an East Strathglen ewe.”
Michael and Katrina Hedger and family, from Snowy Plain Merinos and Snow Vale Poll Merinos had a phenomenal sale also selling the second top price ram that fetched $6500.
The Snowy Plain 143 ram, by the Yarrawonga 1 sire, was bought by local stud breeders GC. and JM. Crowe, Berridale.
With a micron of 19.6, SD of 3, CV of 15.3pc, SF of 18.3 and CF of 99.5pc, the ram weighed 100 kilograms.
The Hedgers sold 37 rams of the 47 offered for a 79pc clearance and a strong average of $2150.
Boudjah Merinos
Boudjah Merinos had a 100pc clearance with 66 rams selling for a $2145 average.
The top price Boudjah ram was Boudjah 34 sold for $4500 to TL. Hazell, Grenfell.
Weighing 98kg, the B-34 ram had an eye muscle depth of 37 millimeters, an eye muscle width of 83mm, a fat depth of five mm and an eye muscle area of 23.64 centimeters squared.
It measured 18.1 in the micron, 2.7 SD, 14.9pc CV and 16.8 SF with a CF of 99.9pc.
The Snowy Plain, Snow Vale and Boudjah sale offerings were conducted by Landmark Cooma, with Rick Power as the auctioneer.
Main Range Merinos
Main Range sold 19 rams of the 24 offered for a 79pc clearance, $4200 top and $1795 average.
Grant Nuthall, Bigga, purchased the top price Main Range 214 ram, by the Roseville Park sire, that weighed 112kg and measured 17.8 in the micron, 3 SD, 16.9pc CV, 16.8 SF and 99.6pc CF.
Monaro Livestock and Property, Cooma, conducted the Main Range sale, with Will Dixon as the auctioneer.