Breeding Merino sheep for more than 60 years is no small feat and it is no wonder a large crowd was in attendance at the 13th Thalabah on-property ram sale to get their hands on the product of John Williams’ extensive knowledge.
Increasing the number of rams offered to 72, the Williams family cleared 58 for an average price of $1483.
Rams sold to a top price of $5000 for a son of the Thalabah Gen sire family who has taken up residence at Fairview Pastoral Company, “Fairview”, Bigga.
Measuring 19.1 micron he had a standard deviation (SD) of 3.6, a co-efficient of variation (CV) of 19.7 and a comfort factor of 99.2 per cent.
He met the requirements of John Moutsopoulos and Vince Seary who were after fine-medium wool sheep with plenty of cut to join their Merino enterprise that has been on Thalabah genetics since is started nine years ago.
“I like big sheep with open face and a dense wool,” Mr Seary said.
The second top price ram sold to long-term Thalabah supporter, Leigh Watts, Chalton, Victoria, for $3000.
Sired by the Thalabah GC family he measured 18.2 micron with a SD of 3.5, CV of 19.1 and a comfort factor of 99.7 pc.
Fairview Pastoral Company also led the volume buyers putting together a draft of eight sires for an average price of $2325.
Mr Watts was clipping at their heels with seven rams purchased for a $1629 average.
Golspie woolgrowers, Merricroft Pastoral Company, put together six rams paying to a top of $1600 to average $1267.
Local producer, Ken Arnall, “Kea”, Laggan, put together five rams at an average $1160, paying to a top of $1400 on two occasions.
While Oscit Pty Ltd, Golspie; Karoopa Patnership, Crowther; and Shanon Arnall, “Carinya”, Laggan, all purchased four rams for their respective enterprises.
The auction sale was conducted by Landmark with sheep specialist, Rick Power, the auctioneer.
