For their 40th annual production sale, the McCrabb family, Avenel Merinos, Wanganella, realised a top price of $6250 for Merino rams and $5000 for Poll Merino rams.
Of the 108 March-shorn rams penned, the very creditable average of $2238 was achieved for the 102 sold, indicating solid and consistent support from long term supporters of Avenel genetics right through the entire catalogue.
Buyer of the top priced Merino ram, Greg Carlson, from Euroa, Victoria, has been attending Avenel sales since the 1980’s and was proudly a second generation client of Avenel.
“They are performing well in our country and are solid commercial sheep,” Mr Carlson said.
“Wool is still important and I want to grow the best.”
Mr Carlson noted his flock measuring 19m had average fleece weight close to six kilograms while marking 100 per cent lambs.
His selection, bred from the Stuart family, measured 19.7m, with Standard Deviation of 3.1, Comfort Factor of 99.4 per cent and body weight of 99kg.
Graham and Debbie Mott, Green Hills, Yerong Creek, have been loyal clients for many years and put a draft of ten rams together for a top price of $5000 and average of $2900.
Their top pick, a Poll Merino son of Glenville T88.18, measured 19.6m, with S.D of 3.4 and Comfort Factor of 98.8 percent and a body weight 95kg when weighed on September 6.
Mr and Mrs Mott were attracted to the ram for his nice, soft-handling wool with great length and free-growing.
“He is a very well balanced ram with a tremendous carcase and depth of body,” Mr Mott said.
Significant prices included $4000 and $3500 for two rams bought by return clients, Robert and Alison Glenn, Edward Park Pastoral, Moulamein; $5500 and $4500 for two of the four rams purchased by L.J Mack, Rheola, Victoria, and J.E Hall and Son, Trelynne, West Wyalong, who paid $3500 twice in their draft of three rams, which averaged $3334.
Volume buyers included Eromunga Trust, Moulamein, who paid an average of $1767 for their selection of 18 rams, which included three at $3000: Newfield Farming Pty Ltd, Newfield, Rennie, paid $2500 average for their choice of eight rams and N.B and D.A Allen, Rock View, Mitiamo, Vic, added to their sire battery with seven rams to top at $3250 and average $2536.
Other significant purchasers included D.M and M.J Ryan, Walbridge, Illabo, who bought five rams to top at $3000 and average $2200 while Maylands Pastoral Co, Rand, selected a draft of ten rams to average $1775 and MAL Willis Family Trust, Edenhope, Yerong Creek, took three rams home for an average price of $2250.
Speaking at the conclusion of the sale, studmaster Colin McCrabb expressed appreciation of the many long term clients who had supported the stud for many years, and particularly the current dry year.
“It was a very pleasing sale, especially considering the seasonal conditions experienced by so many of our clients,” Mr McCrabb said.
“But they still purchased quality, although not their normal quantity and that perhaps is reflecting great confidence in the wool industry.”
The sale was conducted by Landmark and Elders studstock with Peter Godbolt and Ross Milne taking the bids.