Kurrajong Park Merinos, Delungra kicked off the northern ram sale run with a full clearance and positive market outlook.
Rodney and Graham Kent sold all 50 rams offered to top at $2700 and average $1298.
Included in the draft was a charity ram offered in honor of local boy, Logan Taylor who lost his battle to a high-grade, fast-growing brain tumour called Medulloblastoma in late 2017.
The ram sold to Inverell’s Ben Swan for $1500 with all the proceeds and agent’s commissions being donated directly to the Ronald McDonald House in Newcastle.
Mr Swan runs a 2000 head self replacing fine merino flock and described the ram as a “typical” Kurrajong Park Ram, “big and bulk cutter”.
In an unusual format the top priced ram was the last lot offered on the day with a poll Merryville ram creating a three way bidding war.
Australian Wool Network’s northern NSW representative, Harold Mantton, purchased the ram on behalf od Geoff, Kerry and Sebastian Swain, “Back Creek”, Nundle.
Mr Mantton said the Swain’s were looking for finer crimping, dense, heavy cutting rams and favored Merryville blood.
The 24-month old ram measured 18-micron with a coefficient of variance of 15.1 per cent, a standard deviation of 2.7 and a comfort factor of 99.9.
“The Swain’s flock was once a pure Merryville operation but they are now accepting outside genetics to maintain their 18-micron average and increase the cut” said Mr Mantton which led to their purchase of a Roseville Park 16.6-micron ram for $2400.
“The top line chips are prepared and go into the New England Wool contracts” explained Mr Mantton which emphasized the importance placed on maintaining micron and increasing wool cut.
Lachlan McAuley, “Lamascotte” Yetman returned to secure 10 rams to top at $1900 and average $1030.
The McAuley family have been using Kurrajong Park Merinos for around 20 years with Lachlan’s father Owen first introducing the genetics into the herd.
“The work really well in our operation, we join around 2000 ewes annually and maintain an 18.5-micron average and the wethers sell really well too” said Mr McAuley who is hoping to increase fertility in his flock with this year’s sale draft.
“More lambs equals more money”
Another longtime client, John Todd, Keens Estate, “Dolgelly” Garah secured eight rams to average $1138.
Keens Estate run a 19 – 19.5-micron flock and were looking for big, well sprung, heavy cutting sheep.
The sale was settled by Schute Bell Badgery Lumby and Australian Wool Network with AWN’s John Croake, Tamworth controlling the bids.
“I’ve been working with Kurrajong Park for 12 years and this is by far the biggest and best draft they have put forward. Their program is excelling and their clients will reap the rewards” were Mr Croake’s opening remarks at the sale.
