THIRTY-FOUR rams sold to a top of $31,000 and averaged $6110 at the 2020 Dubbo National Merino Sheep Exhibition and Sale on Wednesday.
Heralded as a massive success for the Dubbo fixture and Merino breed, this year's average is $347 above last year when only 19 rams sold at auction.
This year's sale conducted by Nutrien and Elders in conjunction effected a 72 per cent auction clearance from 47 rams offered by 18 studs from within NSW, one from Queensland and one from South Australia.
The sale-topper at $31,000 a poll ram from the Coddington family's Roseville Park stud, Dubbo, was bought by Hay-based stud consultant Chris Bowman for a syndicate of five studs - Blairich conducted by the Small family, Blenheim, New Zealand, who takes full possession; Jim Darmody, Wantana Hills stud, Boorowa, and three Victorian studs including Wurrook at Rokewood, Melrose, Horsham and Salt Creek, Woorndoo.
Eight Roseville Park rams topped the sale average at $9188. The stud's second top price at $10,000 was bought by John Lawrence, Parrawurlie, Barmedman.
Another four rams sold at $10,000 each for Langdene stud, Dunedoo, West Plains Poll stud, Delegate, Darriwell stud, Trundle, and Orrie Cowrie stud, Woorooka, South Australia.
Sale committee chairman, Angus Beveridge, Armatree, said the result was a tremendous success for all involved.
"We decided to conduct a physical sale even against the trend because of COVID, but it was an extraordinary result with near twice as many rams sold than last year and at a much better average," Mr Beveridge said.
- Full results will appear in The Land September 3 edition.