Demand for Merino and Poll Merino rams with long-stapled, soft and lustrous wool was evident at the annual on-property sale at Pooginook on account Paraway Pastoral Co, Jerilderie.
Stud manager, John Sutherland was “delighted with the sale” which saw a top price of $15,000 and average $2108 for the 231 sold of the 233 offered.
“The wool market, meat prices and restocker demand is driving demand for balanced merinos and we now see sale ewes making well in excessive of wheat prices. Certainly a great time to be breeding Merinos.” he said.
Longterm clients from four states of Australia, many in the third generation underpinned the auction, with strong support from new buyers.
Returning to Pooginook, Tony Inder, “Nyrang”, Wellington, paid top price at $15,000 for a new sire with figures 17.9 micron and comfort factor (CF) 99.1 percent, and paid $5000 for a second selection.
“Predicability” is the word Mr Inder uses when describing the reason behind his purchase of Pooginnok rams.
He has been purchasing superior sires from Pooginook for past 17 years, to continue lifting the performance of his Allendale Merino stud, which had been Pooginook based for 50 years prior to Mr Inder’s purchase.
Especially important for Mr Inder is the genetic stablity inherent in the Pooginook stud which is reflected in his own stud and commercial operation.
Mr Inder made the following comment on his choice of Merino ram, which he said was growing the wool type he was looking for.
“He is a big strong sire with a strong muzzle , growing thick and pure ‘crimpy’ wool,” he said.
“I return to Pooginook because I am getting predictable results in my long-term breeding program.”
Mr Inder said his new sire will be joined to specially selected ewes with big frame, and “will compliment the traits we are breeding for.”
Kym Mosey, Twin Creek Pastoral Co, Kapunda, SA, selected a draft of six rams to top $3250 and average $2292.
“There are no bargains here because you pay for quality,” Mr Mosey said.
“We came here in 1999 looking to increase fleece weight and reduce micron, and we are continually impressed with the quality of the progeny.”
Mr Mosey is now shearing twice a year, producing 6kgs skirted fleece measuring 19.2 to 19.6 micron.
New client David McDonald, Gonn Pastoral Co, Murrabit, purchased five rams for average $1360.
“I wanted to buy Riverina sheep with good depth of breeding,” he said.
“The genetic pool at Pooginook is stable and the rams here have big robust frames growing medium wool.”
Certainly a great time to be breeding Merinos
- John Sutherland, Pooginook
Poll Merino rams were bought for $4750 by the Brunt family, “North Yathong”, Jerilderie and KG and BA Crosby, Woodanilling, WA, respectively, while Anlaby Homestead, Kapunda, SA, paid $4500 for their selection.
Also at the top end, the Crosby partnership made a second Poll purchase at $2750, while Naroo Pastoral Co, “Naroo”, Manildra bought three Poll Merinos for $3500 average.
Interstate buyers included JH Nazzari and Co, Tambellup, WA, who selected 11 rams for $2025 average, and BC and MJ Olive, Charlton, Victoria who purchased four rams for $2313 average.
Mount Buangor Partnership, Buangor, Vic, added to their sire battery with a Poll purchase for $3000, while GJ and DB McCoster, St George, QLD, paid $1400 for their single purchase.
Volume purchasers included the Cook family, “Glenidol”, Tottenham, who bought eight rams to $3100 and average $2644, and former Pooginook jackaroo Rick Robertson, Gracemere Partnership, Begworden, who paid to $4000 and average $3083 for his draft of three rams.
“Pooginook is a modern and progressive stud with the type of dual-purpose sheep I am looking for in our high rainfall district,” Mr Robertson said.
Other major drafts were selected by WK Langley and Co, “Midgeon Park”, Narrandera, who bought 17 rams for average $1665, B and K Doyle, Forbes, selected five new sires for $2400 average and Overton Pastoral Co, “Goonambil”, Corowa, added to their sire list with ten young rams for average $1160.
Operating on the top end of the offering, Huelen Pastoral Co, Hovells Creek, put together a significant draft of 11 rams to top of $3750 and average of $2527.
Riverina wool growers who competed included NG and JG Penfold, Ariah Park, who paid average $2833 for their choice of three rams, the Rees family, “Sydenham”, Beckom, who selected two rams for $2875 average and JA Beckett, “Fairview”, Walla Walla, who paid $2375 average for his two sires.
Landmark Mills, Finley and Elders, Jerilderie conducted the sale, with auctioneers Rick Power and Nick Gray taking the bids.
